Table 3.
Market risk factors for falsified medicines.
Risk factor | Falsifier incentive |
Shortage of (or restricted access to) affordable, desired product | Criminals prefer to make and sell products where there is a ready market (where demand exceeds accessible supply) |
High-priced medicine or relatively high-priced brand | Profit opportunity influences choice of product and brand falsification |
Limited risk of discovery or punishment | Risk of retribution shapes choice of distribution channel |