University of Brighton scientists expose fake medicines and launch national drive to stop falsified drugs

Researchers from the university’s Centre for Lifelong Health have launched a public fundraising appeal to tackle the growing threat of falsified medicines entering the supply chain through online marketplaces. The campaign follows a recent investigation by Brighton scientists which found that some pet health supplements are being deliberately adulterated – leading to treatment failure, poisoning, drug resistance and, in the most severe cases, death.

Although the study examined pet products, researchers warn that the implications for human health are even more serious. The World Health Organisation estimates that up to one million people die every year as a result of falsified medicines, with the heaviest impact falling on disadvantaged communities. The pet supplement study provided a real‑world demonstration of how sophisticated counterfeit medicines have become – and showed how the same detection technology can be deployed across both animal and human health.

Professor Bhavik Patel

The findings build on the university’s development of the FakeMedSensor, a low‑cost, portable device designed to rapidly identify falsified and substandard medicines.

Professor Bhavik Patel, Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry at the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Brighton, who led the research team, said: “Awareness is important, but detection is critical. Fake medicines are becoming harder to spot as packaging becomes more sophisticated. Falsified pet supplements are just one part of a much wider global problem spanning human healthcare, veterinary treatment and everyday consumer products.

“Our goal with the FakeMedSensor is to create an affordable, easy‑to‑use technology that can intercept fake medicines at any point in the supply chain.”

He added: “Fake medicines represent a silent global emergency. They undermine healthcare, exploit vulnerable communities and cost lives every day. This campaign will support further device development, expanded surveillance studies across veterinary and consumer medicines, and essential public awareness work.”

The call for action comes as the pharmaceutical industry begins introducing tablet forms of weight‑loss medications. Professor Patel has warned that these pills will be significantly easier for fraudsters to counterfeit, heightening the risks to consumers. Speaking recently to The Guardian about new pill‑form GLP‑1 receptor agonists, he said:

“Pills are much easier prey for scammers than injectables. They require relatively simple equipment to manufacture and can be produced at scale. With demand expected to be huge, authorities will be stretched and we may not be able to completely prevent counterfeit products entering the market.”

The University of Brighton campaign brings together academic staff, research technicians and undergraduate students to raise funds through a dedicated JustGiving page to expand research and public action against the spread of fake medicines.

Shakthy Sharma, Pharmacy MPharm student and co‑author of the study, said: “Being involved in research with real‑world impact has been invaluable. This work shows how science can directly protect both animals and consumers, while giving students the chance to contribute to meaningful research.”

By combining investigative research, practical detection technologies and public awareness, the University of Brighton team aims to prevent falsified medicines from reaching consumers and strengthen health protection for both people and animals.

The public is invited to support the campaign and donate via the JustGiving page.

Staff related to this story

Professor Bhavik Patel

Centre for Environment and Society, Centre for Lifelong Health