The Committee of the Parties to the MEDICRIME Convention held its 12th plenary meeting, thereby continuing its work to combat the counterfeiting of medical products and similar offences that threaten public health.
The Committee reviewed progress in monitoring the implementation of the Convention, particularly in States Parties covered under Group B (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia and Ukraine), as part of the First Thematic Monitoring Round: “The protection of public health through the MEDICRIME Convention in times of pandemics”. A draft guidance note on adulteration, in relation to Article 5 of the Convention, was also presented, contributing to efforts aimed at strengthening the Convention’s effectiveness and impact.
The Committee further advanced work on the development of the Strategy to Combat Falsified Medical Products 2026–2030, aimed at defining the Council of Europe’s priorities for the coming years. Discussions also focused on the development of national platforms designed to facilitate cooperation between the competent authorities, as well as on ensuring gender equality into the implementation of the Convention.
The Committee strengthened its links with other bodies and international partners, notably through synergies with the Monitoring Group of the Anti-doping Convention (T-DO) and the Committee of Experts on Minimising Public Health Risks Posed by Falsification of Medical Products and Similar Crimes (CMED), as well as through close cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Finally, the meeting provided an opportunity to elect the new Chair, Vice-Chair and members of the Bureau, who will be responsible for setting the direction of the MEDICRIME Committee’s activities over the next two years.
The 12th plenary meeting thus reaffirmed the importance of the MEDICRIME Convention as an essential legal framework for protecting public health, strengthening cooperation between competent authorities and responding to evolving threats related to pharmaceutical crime.
