Notorious Markets Report Highlights Growth in Counterfeit Drugs from Online Pharmacies

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its 2024 Review of Notorious Markets, highlighting the global online and physical markets for trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy.

The review (also known as the Notorious Markets List) identifies 38 online markets and 33 physical markets that are reported to engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.

Counterfeit medicines in focus

One of the alarming trends in the 2024 report is the growing threat of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, particularly from illicit online pharmacies. The report presents data from the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP), revealing that 96% of the 35,000 online pharmacies are operating illegally and selling fake drugs to unsuspecting consumers. US officials estimate that 20 new illegal pharmacy websites are launched daily, selling medications without proper licences or prescriptions.

In 2023, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 1.5 million counterfeit pharmaceutical items, making pharmaceuticals the leading category of counterfeit goods confiscated.