Counterfeit Drugs
Whether you live in the United States, Russia, or Ghana, counterfeit drugs are a serious patient safety problem all around the globe. Not only do counterfeit drugs defraud consumers, they deny ill patients the therapies that can alleviate suffering and save lives. And in some cases, counterfeit drugs cause great harm and fatalities.
In today's global environment, health care professionals and patients must be attentive to where their pharmaceutical products are coming from. Adulterated, fraudulently-obtained, expired or counterfeit drugs remain an issue in the United Sates.
In addition to the numerous illegitimate online pharmacies targeting patients, we are faced with a dangerous problem when these potentially deadly counterfeit medicines move through the legitimate drug supply chains, which deliver medication to community and hospital pharmacies nationwide, undetected and without regard to proper storage and handling requirements.
Although most of today’s counterfeited products in the United States are not in our "normal supply chain", it is important for all pharmacies to be aware of the dangers of counterfeit drugs as well as be able to recognize and help prevent counterfeit medicines from reaching patients. Top 10 Ways You Can Fight Counterfeit Drugs
Your cooperation is an essential part of FDA’s and state regulators' efforts to protect the public from the dangers of diverted and counterfeit drugs. Assist health and law enforcement officials by maintaining copies of unsolicited offers, pedigrees, or other pertinent documents, as well as any suspicious products. Fight Counterfeit Drugs: Report Suspicious Products & Vendors
Learn about counterfeit drugs in order to avoid, detect, and report them. You can minimize your risk of getting a counterfeit medicine, and you can also fight back by reporting these cases to the FDA, Health Canada, and other agencies fighting counterfeits. Protect your family from counterfeit drugs
The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), a group of organizations and individuals that have policies, procedures, or programs to protect consumers from contraband and counterfeit medicines, is working together to protect the safety of your prescription drugs. We invite you to join us in our stand against counterfeit drugs.
In addition to our SafeMeds emails, we have many resources available to protect your family from counterfeit drugs.