The Partnership for Safe Medicines Congressional Briefing March 16 -17, 2017

In 2017, the danger of counterfeit drugs is serious and ubiquitous in America, touching all 50 states. Large-scale smugglers bring in fake cancer drugs containing nothing but mold and water and sell them at a discount to oncologists. Fake pills containing deadly doses of fentanyl appear in the supply chain either from fake online pharmacies or through illicit smuggling. Fentanyl-based fakes have killed people in 30 states already in the last 24 months.

In March 2017, Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) hosted a congressional briefing to update Congress about this wide-reaching problem, and on the impact that counterfeit drug sellers may have had on their constituents.

Speakers included:

• “Myths and Facts about Drug Importation Proposals and Results of Lab Tests on Products from Canadian Pharmacy Websites,” Marv Shepherd, PSM Board Member [PowerPoint]
• “U.S. Supply Chain Security at Risk: Counterfeit and Foreign Unapproved Drugs Pose a Significant Public Health Threat to the American Public,” George Karavetsos, DLA Piper, former director of FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations [PowerPoint]
• “Deadly Counterfeits: Fentanyl Poisoning in the United States,” John Burke, Past Commander of the Warren County Ohio Drug Task Force and former Cincinnati Police Officer [PowerPoint]
• “Drug Importation Safety Concerns with Biologic Medicines,” Amy Lyons, Vice President of Corporate Security, Bristol-Myers Squibb [PowerPoint]
• “Criminal Intent and Counterfeit Medicines,” Clive Timmons, Global Head of Security, Novartis
• “Counterfeit Medicines from Canada,” John Clark, Vice President and Chief Security Officer, Pfizer

Other briefing materials: