Doing Our Part to Protect Patients

The following guest blog is provided by Elizabeth A. Gallenagh, Esq., Vice President,
Government Affairs and General Counsel of the Healthcare Distribution
Management Association (HDMA), a PSM member.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily PSM’s policy.

The
U.S. healthcare supply chain remains one of the strongest in the world, but it
is not immune to bad actors and incidents that compromise patient safety and
security. For example, in the past year alone we have seen major headlines of
counterfeit Avastin reaching patients and “gray market” profiteers.

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PhRMA and GPhA Standing United Against Counterfeit Medicines at Interchange

John Castellani, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and Ralph G. Neas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), took the dais together at the Partnership for Safe Medicines 2012 Interchange on September 28, 2012 to discuss the risks of counterfeits to patient safety.

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Who is the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Counterfeit Cancer Drug Scare?

In February and March 2012, the Food and Drug Administration announced fake cancer drugs had infiltrated the secure US drug supply chain. The investigation into who sold these drugs to US doctors in ongoing.


Seventy-six doctors in twenty-two states
were contacted by the FDA because they may have purchased counterfeit Avastin from a “little-known drug wholesaler, Montana Healthcare Solutions,” reported the Wall Street Journal.

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PSM2012: Startling and Compelling Speakers Focused on Patient Safety and Criminal Acts

The Partnership for Safe Medicines’ 2012 Interchange on September 28th, 2012 at the National Press Club brought together researchers, patient advocates, law enforcement and industry to discuss the damage counterfeit medications and fake online pharmacies cause to Americans. “This year’s Interchange was our boldest, most ambitious effort to date,” said PSM President Dr. Marvin D.…

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Partnership for Safe Medicines 2012 Interchange

Partnership for Safe Medicines 2012 Interchange PSM’s annual Interchange conference was held on September 28, 2012 at the National Press Club (Washington DC). The annual Interchange brings together policymakers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, patient advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and anti-counterfeiting companies to discuss the problem and solutions to the global scourge of pharmaceutical counterfeiting. Watch the…

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Global Sting Operation Shuts Down 18,000 Illegal Online Pharmacies, Seizes 3.75 Million Counterfeit Medicines Worth Over $10.5 Million

100 Countries Participate in Operation Pangea V’s Worldwide
Crackdown on Fake Pharmacies and Drugs

The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) is extremely pleased with the conclusion of Operation Pangea V, a worldwide, coordinated sting operation targeting illegal online pharmacies that has yielded spectacular results.

Coordinated by INTERPOL, Pangea V ran from September 25 through October 2 and was a global effort involving the cooperation of law enforcement, customs, health officials and the private sector.

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