PSM Lauds House of Representatives for Approval of HR 1919

PSM applauds the members of the House of Representatives for passing HR 1919, “Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013.”

Today, our system of prescription drug distribution heavily relies on trusting the entity you’re dealing with and their judgment. If a mistake is made, or anyone farther back in the supply chain makes a mistake in purchasing a substandard drug product, there is no ability for a good actor down the line to know this. Criminals have taken advantage of this fact, and such incidents are growing in number every year. Life-saving medications that treat osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and many other serious medical conditions have been faked just in the last few years, as the rules of the road have failed to keep up with the innovative nature of the criminals that prey on American patients.

PSM applauds the members of the House of Representatives for passing HR 1919, “Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013.”

Today, our system of prescription drug distribution heavily relies on trusting the entity you’re dealing with and their judgment. If a mistake is made, or anyone farther back in the supply chain makes a mistake in purchasing a substandard drug product, there is no ability for a good actor down the line to know this. Criminals have taken advantage of this fact, and such incidents are growing in number every year. Life-saving medications that treat osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and many other serious medical conditions have been faked just in the last few years, as the rules of the road have failed to keep up with the innovative nature of the criminals that prey on American patients.

The Partnership for Safe Medicines has been working to educate healthcare professionals about the dangers of counterfeit drugs since 2002, and is grateful that legislation to secure the supply chain has now passed the House. We thank the House for their leadership in making more patients safer.

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.

Learn more about track and trace legislation.