COUNTERFEIT AND FALSIFIED MEDICINES: TODAY’S CHALLENGES AND SMART SOLUTIONS

In any democratic country, special attention is paid to health protection, as a result of which, through organisational, financial, economic, and legal institutions, the state ensures and maintains the health protection of the population at the sufficient level. The purpose of the study is to examine the existing problems in the field of providing the population of Ukraine with high-quality medical drugs. The research methodology is a set of cognitive tools and methods, the use of which allowed for obtaining the most objective information about the existing problem processes and phenomena in the field of providing the population of Ukraine with high-quality medicines. Considering the critical state of the health care sector of the population of Ukraine, the study analyses legal regulations that focus on problematic issues in the health care sector of Ukraine. Attention is drawn to the need to provide the population of Ukraine with affordable and high-quality medicines that must meet the best European and international standards. Statistical data on the facts of the detection of counterfeit medicines are presented, and actors on this issue are analysed. It is noted that counterfeit and falsified medicines cause irreparable harm to the health of people all over the world, such illegal actions threaten the economy and security of the state, cause economic and financial damage to manufacturers of medical medicines, undermine their image, and harm the owners of intellectual property rights. It is noted that public relations in the field under study concern legal mechanisms related to unfair competition, which negatively affects the image of the state, and the activities of both Ukrainian and foreign business entities. It is noted that since intellectual property in its nature and content is closely linked to the growth of the economy, there is a need for more effective steps by the state to prevent violations of intellectual property rights. The results of the study, and parts of it, can be useful for both lawyers and government agencies that struggle with unfair competition in the field of medicines.