WHO member states agree new mechanism for low-quality meds

World Health Organization member states rubber stamped a proposal to set up a new mechanism to tackle counterfeit, substandard and other poor quality medicines at the recent meeting of the World Health Assembly.

The resolution on substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit medical products (SSFFCs) was adopted at the WHA without amendment from the version agreed by the WHO's executive board earlier this year.

The aim of the mechanism is to "protect public health and promote access to affordable, safe, efficacious and quality medical products, promote, through effective collaboration among member states and the secretariat, the prevention and control of SSFFC medical products and associated activities."

The first formal meeting of the new mechanism is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 19 2012, after a preliminary gathering in Geneva.