Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL CRIME: A REVIEW

Deepanshu Gupta*, Chandrakanta Kushwah, Ankur Joshi, Sapna Malviya and Anil Kharia

Abstract

Relation between drug and crime is one of the major concerns for the world. Reviewing the drugs-crime literature Sadden (2000) outlines three explanatory models i.e., drug use leads to crime, crime leads to drug use and crime & drugs are related to other factor. Pharmaceutical crime continuously ascending the global political agenda, with the efforts to adders the problem being taken at international, regional levels. Not only each and every countries official’s organization, but the Interpol is also concerned for the pharmaceutical crime and is taking major steps to stop the crime. The countries which are member of Interpol are reporting that criminals involved in pharmaceutical crime are operating through informal networks. Nevertheless, traditional organized crime groups across the globe are also involved in pharmaceutical crime throughout the supply chain. Both the informal and organized crime groups seem to be trafficking in the same types of illicit medicines: erectile dysfunction medication; slimming pills; as well as pain and anxiety relief medication. In these transnational criminal enterprises maximum amount of money is involved: one of the illicit online pharmacy network, which was dismantled by the US authorities in 2011, managed to earn USD 55 million during two years of operations. Interpol has also received increased reporting of illegal trafficking of Tramadol over the past year. The problem of pharmaceutical crime is not confined to trade mark infringing medicines but also covers a far broader range of products including: as: Mislabeled or misidentified medicines, grey market product, medicine diverted from the legitimate supply chain. Alcohol, nicotine and cannabis abuse is most common now a days, people around the world are addicted to these drugs and criminal organization are taking advantages of this in making money and in increasing crimes.

Keywords: Interpol, Grey Market Product, Trafficking, Informal Networks, Organized Groups.