• Theodoros Kelesidis and Matthew E Falagas.
• Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
• Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2015 Apr 1; 28 (2): 443-64.

AbstractSubstandard/counterfeit antimicrobial drugs are a growing global problem. The most common substandard/counterfeit antimicrobials include beta-lactams (among antibiotics) and chloroquine and artemisin derivatives (among antimalarials). The most common type of substandard/counterfeit antimicrobial drugs have a reduced amount of the active drug, and the majority of them are manufactured in Southeast Asia and Africa. Counterfeit antimicrobial drugs may cause increased mortality and morbidity and pose a danger to patients. Here we review the literature with regard to the issue of substandard/counterfeit antimicrobials and describe the prevalence of this problem, the different types of substandard/counterfeit antimicrobial drugs, and the consequences for the individuals and global public health. Local, national, and international initiatives are required to combat this very important public health issue.Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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