Chinese Medicine Manufacturer Steps Up To Ensure Patient Safety

FDA Releases Video on Counterfeit Detection Device 3 May 13, 2013

The FDA has released more information about their new counterfeit drug detection device, Counterfeit Detection Device 3 (CD-3). In this newly-released video, Nico Ranieri, the FDA research biologist who developed this new technology talks about how important such innovations are to patient safety.

In 2005, it first occurred to Nicolas Ranieri to try to use the type of ultra-violet light devices deployed in crime scene investigations in a hand-held counterfeit drug detection device.  Up to that point, drug testing equipment was both delicate, expensive, and also required highly-trained scientists to  perform the tests for fakes.  Says Ranieri, “We wanted to find counterfeits, and we wanted to find them as fast as possible,” reports the FDA.

Fake Botox on the Rise in US as FDA Warnings and Recent Arrest Indicate
May 7, 2013

In 2012, the FDA sent over 350 warning letters to doctors advising them they may have purchased fraudulent or misbranded injectable drugs, including fake versions of Avastin, Botox, and two different osteoporosis treatments. Now the FDA has identified another batch of fake Botox that is currently being marketed to doctor via fax blast.

On April 26, 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a drug safety warning for healthcare practitioners, warning them that fraudulent versions of the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox are being marketed and sold in the US. The Botox is being sold by unlicensed suppliers, and has not been vetted within the secure U.S. supply chain. They state that the FDA “cannot confirm that the manufacture, quality, storage, and handling of these products follow U.S. standards. These fraudulent products are considered unsafe and should not be used."

Rx360 Launches Physician Education Campaign on the Risks of Counterfeit Drug Wholesalers
May 13, 2013

Rx360 has launched a new campaign educating healthcare providers to the risks of buying diverted and suspect products advertised directly to doctors' offices via fax blast, direct email and online marketing.

Lewis T. Kontnik, team lead for the education campaign, says, "Some of the recent problems with counterfeit and diverted medicines in the US, including the counterfeit versions of Avastin, resulted in part from a lack of awareness by physicians and medical practice administrators of the risks of counterfeit and diverted medicines. The ads of the professional diverters can appear tempting when they promise 'genuine' medicine and substantial discounts, however the facts are different and the consequences can be very serious."

PSM Supports HR 1919, 'Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act'
May 21, 2013

Dear Speaker Boehner and Chairman Upton:

On behalf of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), we write today in strong support of H.R. 1919, the “Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act”.

PSM is a not for profit, consumer focused organization that seeks to keep Americans safe from counterfeit drugs through patient and healthcare provider education and awareness.   In the US we work with a coalition of over 70 healthcare professional and patient groups to improve  patients’ and their healthcare providers’ knowledge about where they obtain their medication, how they can save money safely, and how to safely identify licensed pharmaceutical distributors.

PSM strongly supports the creation of a national uniform track and trace or pedigree system that would allow all participants in the supply chain to verify a product’s history of sale. 

Counterfeit Drug Incident Encyclopedia

• London Raid Finds $750K in Misbranded Drugs: April 23, 2013
• Chicago Pharmacist Charged with Substituting Chinese Counterfeits for Genuine Medication: April 18, 2013
• 4 Welsh Residents Sentenced in UK Counterfeit Drugs Case: March 27, 2013
• Portguese National Sentenced to 44 Months in Jail after $2.4 Million Worth of Unlicensed and Class C Drugs Seized by MHRA: February 25, 2013
• Brother of Lebanese State Minister Arrested in Counterfeit Drugs Case: February 15, 2013
• 7 Sentenced in China For Producing Toxic Gel Medicine Capsules: February 6, 2013
• 3rd Instance of Counterfeit Cancer Treatment Found in United States: February 5, 2013
• Puerto Rican Man Sentenced in US Counterfeit Drugs Case: January 28, 2013
• Canadian Citizen & Online Pharmacy Entrepreneur Sentenced to 4 Years in Counterfeit Drugs Case: January 9, 2013
• Fake Doctor Pleads Guilty to Practicing Without a License & Administering Unapproved Drugs in San Diego: October 19, 2012

Read all the stories in the Encyclopedia

Counterfeit Drug And Safety Conferences