I’m sorry, did somebody say that counterfeit drugs are a “red herring” of the global pharmaceutical industry? The only comment I can make is, WHO’s on first.

LONDON - Worldwide, the WHO believes counterfeits make up between 5 and 8 percent of the $550 billion of medicines sold each year. But WHO spokeswoman Daniela Bagozzi said this was based on incomplete information and the actual amount could be higher.

“It represents a huge number of people who are suffering and in some case dying,” she said. “A lot of deaths could be avoided if the drugs being taken were not substandard counterfeits.”