WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 27, 2008) – The Partnership for Safe Medicines, a group of organizations and individuals dedicated to protect consumers from counterfeit medicines, issued the following statement regarding today's hearing on drug safety held by House Appropriation's Committee's Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. 

The Partnership for Safe Medicines echoes several of the concerns expressed by Congresswoman DeLauro about counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the security of the U.S. drug distribution system.  Recent events serve as a reminder that our country is not completely protected from counterfeit drugs.  It is paramount to remember medications are specialized goods, not commodities, and need to be used with care and understanding.  To provide the U.S. public with the best care, we need to develop stringent pharmaceutical quality assurance programs and develop a drug distribution system that is without compromise. 

This Subcommittee hearing address key issues core to our mission – to protect consumers from contraband and counterfeit medicines.  While Congress and FDA work to improve the distribution system, the Partnership encourages consumers to learn how they can take steps to protect themselves from contraband and potentially counterfeit medicines.

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About the Partnerships for Safe Medicines
The Partnership for Safe Medicines is a group of organizations and individuals that have policies, procedures, or programs to protect consumers from counterfeit or contraband medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.safemedicines.org