Limbu, Lam B. and Bruce A. Huhmann, “Illicit Online Pharmacies: A Scoping Review”

Abstract This scoping review presents the extent and nature of the body of literature on illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) and identifies research gaps. Using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PsycInfo to retrieve relevant studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The…

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Jędrejko, Karol et al, “Unauthorized ingredients in ‘nootropic’ dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agents”

Abstract The first nootropic prohibited in sport was fonturacetam (4-phenylpiracetam, carphedon) in 1998. Presented here 25 years later is a broad-scale consideration of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, regulations, and doping potential of nootropics viewed through a lens of 50 selected dietary supplements (DS) marketed as “cognitive enhancement,” “brain health,” “brain boosters,” or “nootropics,” with a focus…

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Binkowska-Bury, Monika, et al. “Counterfeit medicines in Poland: opinions of primary healthcare physicians, nurses and lay persons.” Journal Of Clinical Nursing 22, no. 3/4 (February 2013): 559-568.

Aims and objectives. To gain information concerning disparities in the understanding of the counterfeit medicines phenomenon between healthcare workers and lay persons. Background. Central-eastern Europe is facing significant challenges in combating a multi-billion euro, and often lethal, trade in counterfeit medicines. It is a major challenge especially for primary healthcare workers to expand the understanding…

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Nemlekar P, Shepherd M*, Lawson K, and Rush S. Web-Based Survey to Assess the Perceptions of Managed Care Organization Representatives on Use of Copay Subsidy Coupons for Prescription Drugs. J Manag Care Pharm. 2013;19(8):602-08.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Promotion of prescription drug coupons and vouchers by pharmaceutical manufacturers has increased in recent years. These coupons and vouchers usually subsidize patients’ cost-sharing obligations. In other words, drug companies pay for a patient’s portion of the drug cost, and the remaining cost is paid by the patient and the patient’s health plan. This…

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Shepherd M*. Examination of Why Some Community Pharmacists Do Not Provide 72-Hour Emergency Prescription Drugs to Medicaid Patients When Prior Authorization Is Not Available. J Manag Care Pharm. 2013;19(7):523-33.

BACKGROUND: Existing federal law requires that a 72-hour emergency supply of a prescription drug be dispensed to Medicaid patients when prior authorization (PA) is not available and the medication is needed without delay. The pharmacist’s role is to contact prescribers and inform them that PA is needed. If the prescriber cannot be reached, the pharmacist can dispense a 72-hour emergency supply.

OBJECTIVES: To determine (a) the reasons why some community pharmacy owners/managers, staff pharmacists, and technicians are not compliant with the law; (b) how often the decision is made; and (c) estimate how often pharmacies do not dispense the 72-hour emergency supply when PA is not available.

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Chambliss W. G, Carroll W. A, Kennedy D, Shepherd M*, et al. Role of the Pharmacist in Preventing Distribution of Counterfeit Medications. In: J Am Pharm Assoc. 2012;52(2):195-199.

Abstract Objective: To provide an overview of the counterfeit medication problem and recommendations of a joint American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science and APhA Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management taskforce. Date sources: SciFinder and PubMed were searched from 1980 to March 2011 using the following keywords: counterfeit drug product, counterfeit…

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Campbell N, Clark JP, Stecher VJ, Goldstein I. Internet-ordered viagra (sildenafil citrate) is rarely genuine. J Sex Med. 2012 Nov;9(11):2943-51. Epub 2012 Aug 27.

Abstract Introduction.  Counterfeit medication is a growing problem. This study assessed the requirement for prescription, cost, origin, and content of medications sold via the Internet and purporting to be the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor Viagra (sildenafil citrate). Methods.  Pfizer monitored top search results for the query "buy Viagra" on the two leading Internet search engines…

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Jackson G, Patel S, Khan S. Assessing the Problem of Counterfeit Medications in the United Kingdom. Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Mar;66(3):241-50.

Abstract Counterfeit medicines pose an ever-increasing threat to public health, although precise tracking of illegal counterfeit prescription drug activity is difficult. Available data indicate that all types of medications have been targeted. Adverse health effects, including death, have resulted from using counterfeit medications; consumers who self-medicate without appropriate interactions with the healthcare system rarely receive…

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Liang BA.*, Mackey TK. Promoting online drug safety: Using Public–Private Partnerships to Deter Illicit Online Drug Sales. J Commer Biotechnol. (2011) 17, 266–271

Illicit online pharmacies selling counterfeit drugs in a global virtual marketplace remain a critical problem in global health. Yet they continue to operate with little regulation while growing numbers of consumers access the Internet for health information that may lead them to purchase dangerous drugs online. This global social problem requires immediate action to protect…

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