The falsification of medicines has remained a serious threat to public health in the EU for too long. As of 9 February 2019, new rules on safety features for prescription medicines sold in the EU are applied. These rules mean that the industry has to affix a 2-D barcode and an anti-tampering device on the box of prescription medicines. The pharmacies – including on-line pharmacies – and hospitals have to check the authenticity of medicines before dispensing to patients. This is the final step in the implementation of the Falsified Medicines Directive, adopted in 2011, aiming at guaranteeing the safety and quality of medicines sold in the EU