Matheson and Bilbray Sponsor Counterfeit Medicine Bill

Congressmen Jim Matheson of Utah and Brian Bilbray of California have re-introduced a bill to improve authorities abilities to address the counterfeit medicine problem.

Congressmen Jim Matheson of Utah and Brian Bilbray of California have re-introduced a bill to improve authorities abilities to address the counterfeit medicine problem.

HR3026, “Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act,” authorizes the Food and Drug Administration to destroy seized counterfeit medicines. Currently, the FDA is required to return seized counterfeit drugs back to the counterfeiters. Additionally, the bill recommends creating a national pedigree system, and creating a tracking system to follow medications from manufacturer to pharmacy.

“This is a public health concern. People need to know that when they take a prescribed pill it is real, undiluted and not laced with phony ingredients. We need to change current law so when officials seize counterfeit drugs coming into the U.S., they can destroy them rather than simply returning them to the counterfeiters. By implementing these steps now, we can go a long way towards safeguarding the medicine people need to get well and stay healthy,” said Matheson.

By S. Imber