According the World Health Organisation (WHO) counterfeit drugs are estimated to have kill 250,000 children a year. With an estimated 1 million adults suffering a similar fate. Counterfeit drugs have also contributed to an increase in drug resistance in treating serious global diseases.

Counterfeiting is a high-volume high profit business the poses health risks, infringes on intellectual property rights, medicines legislation and other aspects of criminal law. Indirect impacts are loss of revenue for pharmaceutical companies, brand damage and decreased public confidence.