Threats to public health related to falsifi ed/counterfeit medical products and similar crimes have now reached truly global proportions. Trade in falsified/counterfeit medical products represents a multi-billion euro industry that poses a major threat not only to patients, who are particularly vulnerable, but also to the integrity of healthcare systems. It is often linked to organised crime and generates substantial profi ts, with a low risk of being intercepted and relatively mild penalties in comparison, for example, to the traffi cking of narcotic drugs.