Sean O’Hearen, 1st Line Partners

Counterfeit pharma networks are becoming more sophisticated—leveraging advanced packaging, fragmented logistics, and global trade gaps—making detection harder and patient risk greater than ever.

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Mark Lee, Marqvision’s founder and CEO, and Sean O’Hearen, founder and principal consultant at 1st Line Partners, warn that counterfeiters are rapidly leveraging AI to create fake websites, social profiles, and manipulated product content—outpacing traditional protections and highlighting widespread underreporting of falsified medicines.

Companies must assess illicit trade risks under a new EU directive, making materiality and compliance critical for sustainability reporting.

Counterfeit drugs infiltrating the US pharma supply chain through gray market channels underscore the urgent need for vigilance.

Healthcare providers must enhance awareness of counterfeit medicines to protect patients, especially as online drug purchases rise.

Why taking proactive steps—and combing the right data sources—is critical to informed decision-making in risk management.

Introducing a new Pharma Commerce column focused on combating illicit trade and protecting product integrity—and ultimately patients.