Sanofi-Aventis announces opening of anti-counterfeit lab

Sanofi-Aventis has announced the inauguration of its central anti-counterfeit laboratory in Tours, France.

The laboratory was opened at the pharmaceutical plant in the Department of Indre-et-Loire by chairman Jean-Francois Deheq and government minister Herve Novelli.

Sanofi-Aventis said this new site would form an integral part of its efforts against counterfeiting.

The laboratory will conduct direct examinations of packaging items and leaflets as well as definitive chemical tests on samples of products that are commonly faked.

It will also develop new test methods to allow any industrial plant to inspect and test suspect products against those manufactured by the firm and will distribute these tests globally.

The company said the laboratory would also centralise identity cards for counterfeit drugs discovered in a central database to simplify the comparison of different types of fakes.

Mr Dehecq said: “We have for too long a time under-estimated the problem of drug counterfeiting – what used to be a cottage industry is today a fully fledged industrial process.”

He added that given the urgency of the situation, there should be efforts to boost the efficacy of international police enquiries, updates to laws which are currently not dissuasive enough and better regulation of drug distribution networks.

Earlier this month, Sanofi-Aventis announces the completion of its acquisition of Sympian CP Holdings for A$560 million (264 million pounds).