Research Assistant - Network Disruptions in Illicit and Counterfeit Medicines Trade

The RA will employ a mixed-methods approach: detailed review of cases, reports, and studies in six languages (provided by our stakeholders), and qualitative analysis of data provided by our law enforcement, financial, and pharmaceutical industry partners. This study will yield a more solid understanding of how these illicit networks operate, how they can exploit criminogenic asymmetries, and regulatory breakdowns or weaknesses and will enable the research team to establish indicators of criminal networks activity and key nodes that may be detected and targeted through the tools under development by our computer and pharmaceutical science colleagues. This work will also assist in developing better control recommendations prepared through activities under control and mitigation below.

Task 1a.1: We will analyze criminogenic asymmetries to identify contributing factors for crime opportunities, motives to exploit such opportunities, and control weaknesses. Collect information to document asymmetries associated with international trade, lockdowns and supply chain disruptions, differential access to treatments or vaccines in demand, [de-]globalization, geopolitics, diverse state capacities and critical infrastructures, nationalist and protectionist trends, differential commitment to international standards [49]. We will point to asymmetries springing from domestic issues, such as policy and legal differences (e.g., federal vs. state approaches), competition, health emergencies/disease outbreaks, natural disasters or conflicts raising medical needs, political disagreements, etc. The objective will be to identify factors contributing to differential commitment to relevant rules and standards (e.g., concerning compliance with social distancing measures, mask-wearing measures, travel bans).

Task 1a.2: Special focus on dysnomic situations with “crimes without lawbreaking”. Dysnomie occurs due to (i) an absence of a widely accepted transnational normative framework to regulate cross-border activities, and (ii) inconsistent or conflicting provisions apply to the same situation. This is a facilitative environment for illegal activities as the same act may be criminal in one jurisdiction but allowed in another. Savvy criminal entrepreneurs can compartmentalize operations in ways that achieve illegal ends without violating applicable rules (see also PI-NP work on “lawful but awful” practices). As geopolitics, conflicting national or commercial interests, emergencies, and other factors produce a regulatory patchwork regarding medical products in short supply. We will document legal asymmetries that potentially enable illicit supply chains to operate with impunity or, conversely, lead to state actions that may violate international law (e.g., sanctions, piracy, or other standards).