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Cyber Security EMA fake websites FDA Healthcare Healthcare Cyberattacks Healthcare cybersecurity Illicit Activity Pharmaceutical US FDA. Website

Combatting Counterfeit Drugs Online: BrandShield's Success in Dismantling Illicit Websites

 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of online pharmaceuticals, the proliferation of counterfeit drugs poses a significant threat to consumer safety. Cybersecurity firm BrandShield has emerged as a stalwart defender in this battle, successfully dismantling over 250 websites selling counterfeit weight-loss and diabetes medications. Led by CEO Yoav Keren, BrandShield's efforts represent a concerted endeavor to combat the scourge of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and protect consumers from the dangers of fraudulent medications. 

The counterfeit drugs targeted by BrandShield predominantly belong to the GLP-1 class, including popular medications like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound. Originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, these medications have garnered attention for their additional benefits in weight loss, with patients experiencing significant reductions in body weight. Unfortunately, the efficacy and popularity of these drugs have also made them lucrative targets for counterfeiters seeking to exploit the growing demand. 

According to Reuters, the majority of the illicit websites shut down by BrandShield were purveyors of counterfeit GLP-1 drugs, indicating the scale of the problem. Alarmingly, studies suggest that an estimated 95% of all online pharmacies operate unlawfully, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue. 

Moreover, reported cases of harm linked to fake GLP-1 drugs have emerged in at least nine countries, underscoring the urgent need for action. BrandShield's recent crackdown on counterfeit drug websites represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against online pharmaceutical fraud. The company's efforts have resulted in the closure of 90% of the identified pharmacy websites selling counterfeit GLP-1 medications. This operation accounts for just over 15% of the total counterfeit drug websites reported by BrandShield last year, emphasizing the scale of the challenge. 

Collaborating closely with the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI), BrandShield employs rigorous evidence collection and intelligence gathering to identify and target illicit websites. By providing actionable intelligence to service providers hosting these websites, BrandShield facilitates their removal from the internet, effectively disrupting the operations of counterfeiters. Furthermore, the company coordinates with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal networks involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs. 

In addition to targeting counterfeit drug websites, BrandShield's efforts extend to social media platforms, where it has removed nearly 4,000 fake drug listings. Notably, a significant portion of these listings—almost 60%—was found on Facebook, highlighting the need for vigilance across all online platforms. BrandShield's global reach ensures that illegal drug listings are eradicated from marketplaces in countries around the world, including India, Indonesia, China, and Brazil. 

Contrary to concerns raised earlier, the EMA found no evidence linking these medications to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or self-injury. This reaffirmation of safety aligns with previous findings by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing reassurance to patients and healthcare providers alike. 

Overall, BrandShield's relentless efforts to combat counterfeit drugs online serve as a beacon of hope in the fight against pharmaceutical fraud. By dismantling illicit websites, removing fake drug listings, and collaborating with industry partners and law enforcement agencies, BrandShield is making significant strides towards safeguarding consumers and upholding the integrity of the pharmaceutical industry.
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Pfizer
COVID-19 Vaccine Cyber Crime EMA Pfizer

Hackers Altered the Covid-19 Vaccine Records

 

The European Union's drug regulator has said that COVID-19 vaccine documents that were purloined from its servers in a cyberattack have been not only leaked on the web but "manipulated" by hackers.

A cyber-attack hit the European Medicines Agency (EMA). At the hour of the divulgence of the hack, the EMA didn't give technical insights concerning the attack, nor any information on whether the attack will affect its operations while it is evaluating and approving COVID-19 vaccines. 

The European agency plays a vital role in the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines across the EU, it has access to sensitive and confidential data, including quality, safety, and effectiveness of information coming about because of trials. The European Medicines Agency said on Friday that a continuous investigation concerning the cyberattack demonstrated that hackers got emails and records from November identified with the evaluation of experimental Covid vaccines. 

The agency, which regulates medications and drugs across the 27-part EU, had troves of confidential COVID-19 information as a feature of its vaccine approval process. 

"A portion of the correspondence has been manipulated by the culprits before distribution in a manner which could sabotage trust in vaccines," the agency said. It didn't clarify what data was altered — but cybersecurity experts state such practices are typical of disinformation campaigns launched by governments. 

Italian cybersecurity firm Yarix said, "the intention behind the leak by cybercriminals is sure: to cause critical harm to the reputation and credibility of EMA and Pfizer." The agency said that given the overwhelming toll of the pandemic, there was an "urgent public health need to make vaccines accessible to EU residents as quickly as time permits." The EMA demanded that despite that urgency, its decisions to recommend the green-lighting of vaccines were based "on the strength of the scientific proof on a vaccine's safety, quality and efficacy, and nothing else.” 

The agency, which is situated in Amsterdam, went under hefty criticism from Germany and other EU part nations in December for not approving vaccines against the virus all the more rapidly. The EMA gave its first recommendation for the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine weeks after the shot got approval in Britain, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. 

The EMA said law enforcement authorities are taking necessary action in response to the cyberattack.
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EMA
COVID-19 Vaccine Dark Web Data Breach EMA

Important Documents Related to the Covid-19 Vaccine Leaked on the Darkweb

 

As the pandemic continues to spread globally via a new Covid-19 variant, the attacks on medical agencies surge likewise. Pharmaceutical industries and government organizations continue to face the wrath. As per the sources, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) became the victim of the latest attack, from where “several documents related to the Covid-19 vaccine are allegedly stolen and are released in the Darkweb market, security experts said”.

Security experts from threat intelligence firm Cyble also said, “during the evaluation of data, the experts have found that various confidential files, including MoMs, assessment reports, confidential emails, login portal links and images of its internal pages were accessed and leaked”. The illegal market for Covid-19 vaccines has asserted its malicious influence even more so as it continues to expand in scope and horizon.

In this regard, European Medical Agency said, “EMA has been the subject of a cyber attack. The Agency has swiftly launched a full investigation, in close cooperation with law enforcement and other relevant entities”.

“EMA cannot provide additional details whilst the investigation is ongoing. Further information will be made available in due course”, the agency further added.

The agency is investigating the security incident, however, there is no clarification regarding the source of the attack. Also, whether the hackers were successful in their attempt or not remains unclear as of now.

European Medical Agency have been twice the victim of cyber attacks in recent months, it has become the target of attackers because it has all the necessary and confidential information related to the Covid-19 vaccines, also it has to be noted that it played a massive role in the assessment of Covid-19 vaccines.

The leaked documents are also being shared on the Russian-speaking forums when the threat intelligence firm Cyble started tracking the documents. During the investigation, the experts have also found that the attackers were using the internal email from where the portal link was shared and also the login page for the portal to access the reports, all of which were shared through the screenshots. Furthermore, the documents included the supposed evaluation reports of the Covid-19 vaccine which also comprised the summary report of drug release
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