APEC Meets to Solve Counterfeit Medicine Crisis
David Luna, Director for Anticrime Programs in the State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs opened the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Dialogue on Corruption and Illicit Trade: Combating Counterfeit Medicines and Strengthening Supply Chain Integrity on March 2, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Mr. Luna framed the conference’s agenda for the day by emphasizing the goals of building a common agenda on combating corruption, illicit trade and counterfeits, including counterfeit medicines, reported the Federal News Service.
He said, “We must stand together and strengthen our work in APEC to crackdown on the illicit networks that are exploiting and flooding our markets with counterfeit (and sometimes deadly) goods, and combat related corruption and those who corrupt our institutions.”
APEC is a forum, established in 1989, for 21 Pacific Rim countries that promotes free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. APEC works to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable economic growth and to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of shared interests among Asia-Pacific countries.
Victoria Espinel, U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, Executive Office of the President, the White House, and Director John Morton, U.S. Immigration and Customs, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Homeland Security were participants. Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided the closing remarks.