March 31, 2008
It is heartwarming to hear that the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has decided to teamup with the Pharmacy Council to launch a nationwide intensive programme to prevent unregistered food and drugs from being sold in Ghana.
At a press briefing last week, the FDB vowed to halt attempts by some gangsters to launch into Ghana's growing economy through the selling of unwholesome products.
March 30, 2008
The Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Public Health is urging the public to buy all medications at pharmacies to avoid the purchase of counterfeit drugs. The department issued the warning after learning of the sale of fake anti-malarial drugs in provinces of Laos sharing borders with neighbouring countries.
"Health officials confiscated counterfeit drugs and fined the street vendors selling them in Saravan province at the end of last year. Most of these drugs came into the country illegally," the department's Director General, Dr Somthavy Changvisommid, told Vientiane Times at the opening ceremony of the KPN Pharmaceutical Factory in Vientiane .
Then last spring, hundreds if not thousands of pets died or were sickened in the United States by a Chinese pet food ingredient that contained lethal levels of melamine, an industrial product used to artificially boost protein levels. That was followed quickly by the discovery that Americans were brushing their teeth with Chinese toothpaste containing a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
March 29, 2008
Is your prescription medication real or could it be counterfeit? On Friday the U.S. Attorney General met with a group of technology industry leaders in the South Bay to highlight a growing problem with intellectual property theft, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals
New expensive medicines such as hormones, corticosteroids, cancer drugs, and Viagra are the most frequently counterfeited medications in industrialized countries. On Friday, the U.S. Attorney General sounded the alarm on a growing problem that he says threatens public safety.
The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) publicized a list of 25 websites found in its latest inspection. The sites either sold counterfeit drugs or publicized illicit content, such as false, exaggerated or misleading information regarding cures to various ailments.
Consultation has started on plans (PDF, 61K)to make it harder for counterfeit medicines to circulate in the EU and to make it easier to spot them when they do.
Central to the proposals, which were published on 11 March by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, is a plan to make European pharmaceutical law apply to everyone who trades in medicines in the EU, whether or not they actually handle products or even intend to place them on the European market. This would mean that brokers, agents and traders who only use Europe as a staging post in the distribution of medicines from one country to anotherwould be subject to the same requirements as manufacturers and wholesalers.
March 26, 2008
It was the second two-year delay for the start of a statewide electronic pedigree drug-tracking program first approved by the Legislature and governor in 2004. It would require factory-to-patient tracking of individual units of pills and other medications.
March 25, 2008
Thanks in part to the embarrassment factor, counterfeit copies of drugs to treat erectile dysfunction now flood the world wide web and other ungoverned outlets, and experts warn that buyers could be putting their health at risk.
March 22, 2008
The announcement made this week by the Attorney General, Dato Seri Paduka Haji Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli, at the opening of the Legal Year 2008 on the Medicines Order 2007 is another important measure that could safeguard the country from the flood of unauthorised and counterfeit medicine.
March 20, 2008
The finding by the Food and Drug Administration culminated a worldwide race to identify the substance discovered early this month in certain batches of heparin, the blood-thinning drug that had been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions.
These websites include the fake websites of the Diabetes Treatment Center of China TCM Higher Medical Institute, the Diabetes Treatment Center of Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Institute, China Diabetes Recovery Website, International Beijing Chinese Herbal Medicine Diabetes Research Center, Beijing Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Institute Liver Disease Recovery Center, the fake Chinese PLA 301 Hospital, China Chinese Medicine Research Institute, China Chinese Medicine Research Institute High Blood Pressure Research Center, State Dermatosis Clinic Study Institute and China Chinese Medicine Difficulty and Complicated Disease Research Center.
March 19, 2008
Food and Drug Administration officials said they are trying to determine whether the chemical -- over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate -- was purposely or inadvertently added during manufacturing in China.
March 18, 2008
The smugglers partnered with an unlicensed Chinese supplier in Yantai, Shandong Province in northeastern China, to produce a large quantity of counterfeit tablets that they tried to sell in Korea as a brand-name product, officers said.
On Monday federal prosecutors cut them a break, sparing them prison time, in exchange for helping them with their investigation, which led to the bust of a Chinese dealer.
March 17, 2008
Last year, a delegation of students and lecturers from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services of the Florida A&M University led by Prof Henry Lewis arrived in Ghana to explore avenues of cooperation with some Ghanaian organizations.
According to the head of the delegation, whose other member is Assistant Professor Yussif M. Dokurugu, interesting results came out of the research work of the organizations and students they worked with.
Counterfeit medicines have become an increasing threat for patients, healthcare professionals and the industry, and a concern for European Union and national policymakers, says the Commission. In particular, it notes the following “worrying” trends: a sharp increase in seized fake medicines at EU customs borders; the counterfeiting of life-saving drugs; targeting by counterfeiters of the “classical” supply chain; and a “blurred line” between counterfeit and substandard active substances in medicines.
March 15, 2008
Although we don't know precisely how much prescription narcotic drug abuse is fueled by Internet purchases, we can get a sense of the availability of these drugs by going online and searching for, say, "vicodin without prescription" or "oxycontin without prescription." Search engines immediately identify thousands of Web sites that advertise these drugs and offer to take any major credit card for payment.
March 14, 2008
"The fake drug ring penetrated 14 provinces across the country and had dozens of underground paths of distribution selling human albumin," Xinhua News Agency quoted provincial officials as saying.
The level of fakes is increasing despite a record detection level last year. Revenue officials said today that counterfeit products coming to Ireland from China now account for 90% of all counterfeit goods sold here.
This scenario is less far-fetched than it sounds. Last year, two American and three Australian children were hospitalized after swallowing Aqua Dots, popular beads used in arts and crafts projects. The beads were produced in China and were found to contain a chemical that converts into the so-called "date-rape" drug when swallowed.
March 13, 2008
The move, scheduled to take effect at the end of June, could kill the industry in Manitoba, prompting its 22 businesses to close or relocate.
Tracy Taylor tells us her troubles began when her husband was in a car accident. His doctor prescribed painkillers - and he became addicted. His wife Kelly says soon what was prescribed was not enough, so he would go online and get more.
"He was very kind and compassionate, a great guy,” said Kelee Taylor of her husband Tracy. Kelee and Tracy married in January of 2007. "It was wonderful,” Kelee said. “It was the best time of my life."
March 12, 2008
March 07, 2008
March 06, 2008
“None of the deaths were in Oklahoma,” said Michael Eason, an investigator for the Delaware County Drug Task Force. “I really can’t expound on it.” The overdoses are related to the muscle relaxant Soma that may have been purchased online, authorities say. Just recently, authorities say, a Grove man allegedly had been operating an illegal pharmacy out of a relative’s home.
March 04, 2008
In the dossier, titled "Dangerous medicines: Unproven AIDS cures and counterfeit antiretroviral drugs" released 28 February, the rights body named the Gambia and Iran among countries which "deserve particular scrutiny."
Harris made the remarks at an American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei Intellectual Property and Licensing Committee luncheon held at the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel in Taipei yesterday.
March 03, 2008
So what’s the problem? The World Health Organization estimates that up to 50% of drugs bought from web-based suppliers are fake.
March 01, 2008
Bad drugs at a pharmacy near you
The FDA believes it has discovered the contaminant in the blood-thinning drug heparin that has caused hundreds of allergic reactions and 19 deaths. It appears to be a cheap, plentiful substance that is made from animal cartilage. Mimicking heparin in chemical tests and falsely giving the impression of larger amounts of the drug, it was added in China, a common source of crude heparin precursors.
By Henry Miller
31 March 2008
Read the full story at washingtontimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:19 PM
Ghana: A New Deal for Fighting Counterfeit Medicines
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.It is heartwarming to hear that the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has decided to teamup with the Pharmacy Council to launch a nationwide intensive programme to prevent unregistered food and drugs from being sold in Ghana.
At a press briefing last week, the FDB vowed to halt attempts by some gangsters to launch into Ghana's growing economy through the selling of unwholesome products.
31 March 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:18 PM
Laos warns against counterfeit anti-malarial medicines
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.The Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Public Health is urging the public to buy all medications at pharmacies to avoid the purchase of counterfeit drugs. The department issued the warning after learning of the sale of fake anti-malarial drugs in provinces of Laos sharing borders with neighbouring countries.
"Health officials confiscated counterfeit drugs and fined the street vendors selling them in Saravan province at the end of last year. Most of these drugs came into the country illegally," the department's Director General, Dr Somthavy Changvisommid, told Vientiane Times at the opening ceremony of the KPN Pharmaceutical Factory in Vientiane .
By Xayxana Leukai
30 March 2008
Read the full story at asianewsnet.net.
Posted by jclass at 10:21 PM
The Drug Scare That Exposed a World of Hurt
When cold medicine containing a poison made in China killed nearly 120 Panamanians in 2006 and early 2007, Americans could take some comfort in the belief that a similar epidemic could never happen here, not with one of the best drug regulatory systems in the world.Then last spring, hundreds if not thousands of pets died or were sickened in the United States by a Chinese pet food ingredient that contained lethal levels of melamine, an industrial product used to artificially boost protein levels. That was followed quickly by the discovery that Americans were brushing their teeth with Chinese toothpaste containing a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
By WALT BOGDANICH
30 March 2008
Read the full story at nytimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:19 PM
Counterfeit medicines are a growing problem
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.Is your prescription medication real or could it be counterfeit? On Friday the U.S. Attorney General met with a group of technology industry leaders in the South Bay to highlight a growing problem with intellectual property theft, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals
New expensive medicines such as hormones, corticosteroids, cancer drugs, and Viagra are the most frequently counterfeited medications in industrialized countries. On Friday, the U.S. Attorney General sounded the alarm on a growing problem that he says threatens public safety.
By Leslie Brinkley
29 March 2008
Read the full story at abclocal.go.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:20 PM
China shuts down 23 websites for illegal drug sales
China announced on Friday it had shut down 23 websites for illegal drug sales and false advertising of drug products, the country's pharmaceutical authority said.The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) publicized a list of 25 websites found in its latest inspection. The sites either sold counterfeit drugs or publicized illicit content, such as false, exaggerated or misleading information regarding cures to various ailments.
29 March 2008
Read the full story at english.people.com.cn.
Posted by jclass at 10:17 PM
EU sets out plans to make it easier to spot counterfeit medicines
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.Consultation has started on plans (PDF, 61K)to make it harder for counterfeit medicines to circulate in the EU and to make it easier to spot them when they do.
Central to the proposals, which were published on 11 March by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, is a plan to make European pharmaceutical law apply to everyone who trades in medicines in the EU, whether or not they actually handle products or even intend to place them on the European market. This would mean that brokers, agents and traders who only use Europe as a staging post in the distribution of medicines from one country to anotherwould be subject to the same requirements as manufacturers and wholesalers.
29 March 2008
Read the full story at pharmj.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:16 PM
State delays effort to halt counterfeit drugs
A first-in-the-nation plan to keep counterfeit prescription drugs from reaching consumers was put on hold again Tuesday by the state Board of Pharmacy at a meeting in San Diego.It was the second two-year delay for the start of a statewide electronic pedigree drug-tracking program first approved by the Legislature and governor in 2004. It would require factory-to-patient tracking of individual units of pills and other medications.
By Marc Lifsher
26 March 2008
Read the full story at latimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:23 PM
Doctors warn against taking counterfeit drugs
There is no shortage of counterfeit Viagra but it can be potentially dangerous. It can be the bane of an e-mail account: the unsolicited and sometimes hourly offers of cheap drugs on offer to enhance male performance in the bedroom.Thanks in part to the embarrassment factor, counterfeit copies of drugs to treat erectile dysfunction now flood the world wide web and other ungoverned outlets, and experts warn that buyers could be putting their health at risk.
25 March 2008
Read the full story at ireland.com.
Posted by jclass at 03:33 PM
Laws to curb counterfeit drugs and medical products
New laws are now in place to deal with the influx of bogus and hazardous medical products and services to the country.The announcement made this week by the Attorney General, Dato Seri Paduka Haji Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli, at the opening of the Legal Year 2008 on the Medicines Order 2007 is another important measure that could safeguard the country from the flood of unauthorised and counterfeit medicine.
By Narissa Noor
22 March 2008
Read the full story at brunei-online.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:23 PM
Taking the lead against counterfeit drugs
Along with the international trades in narcotics, armaments and looted antiquities, trafficking in counterfeit drugs is one of the most lucrative. Counterfeit medical products are a major public-health risk for all communities and the trade has grown in recent years as counterfeiting methods have become more sophisticated and the amount of merchandise crossing borders has increased. Speaking on an Australian Broadcasting Corp. program in February 2006, writer Robert Cockburn estimated that around 10 percent of the world's medicine supply was fake and that the trade was then worth over US$30 billion a year.
By Philip Courtenay
20 March 2008
Read the full story at taiwanjournal.nat.gov.tw.
Posted by jclass at 10:25 PM
Tainted Drugs: A Triad of Blame
It would be hard to argue against the benefits of pharmaceuticals. Their development and use has led to life-prolonging effects such as lowering many people's blood pressure and cholesterol, boosting the immune system of HIV positive patients, and even the remission of some types of cancer. But what happens when these drugs we have so come to depend on contain ingredients, often made in remote regions of the world, that may actually harm us? We may ask ourselves, who is protecting us? And whose job is it to ensure drug safety: the pharmaceutical companies or the government?
By Krystal Ford
20 March 2008
Read the full story at acsh.org.
Posted by jclass at 10:23 PM
Heparin Find May Point to Chinese Counterfeiting
Federal drug regulators, in announcing Wednesday that the mystery contaminant in heparin was an inexpensive, unapproved ingredient altered to mimic the real thing, moved closer to concluding that Americans might be the latest victims of lethal Chinese drug counterfeiting.The finding by the Food and Drug Administration culminated a worldwide race to identify the substance discovered early this month in certain batches of heparin, the blood-thinning drug that had been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions.
By WALT BOGDANICH
20 March 2008
Read the full story at nytimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:22 PM
SFDA Exposes 25 Illegal Drug Selling Websites
China's State Food and Drug Administration has exposed 25 websites that have been involved in illegal selling of medicines.These websites include the fake websites of the Diabetes Treatment Center of China TCM Higher Medical Institute, the Diabetes Treatment Center of Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Institute, China Diabetes Recovery Website, International Beijing Chinese Herbal Medicine Diabetes Research Center, Beijing Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Institute Liver Disease Recovery Center, the fake Chinese PLA 301 Hospital, China Chinese Medicine Research Institute, China Chinese Medicine Research Institute High Blood Pressure Research Center, State Dermatosis Clinic Study Institute and China Chinese Medicine Difficulty and Complicated Disease Research Center.
20 March 2008
Read the full story at chinatechnews.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:54 PM
FDA pinpoints contaminant in Baxter's heparin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators said on Wednesday they have identified a contaminant found in batches of Baxter International Inc's blood-thinner heparin that were linked to serious reactions and deaths.Food and Drug Administration officials said they are trying to determine whether the chemical -- over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate -- was purposely or inadvertently added during manufacturing in China.
By Lisa Richwine
19 March 2008
Read the full story at reuters.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:58 PM
Three arrested for smuggling fake medicine from China
SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- Police arrested three men on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling fake high blood pressure medicine from China into South Korea, triggering a nationwide alert over China's thriving and potentially life-threatening drug counterfeiting industry.The smugglers partnered with an unlicensed Chinese supplier in Yantai, Shandong Province in northeastern China, to produce a large quantity of counterfeit tablets that they tried to sell in Korea as a brand-name product, officers said.
18 March 2008
Read the full story at english.yonhapnews.co.kr.
Posted by jclass at 04:07 PM
Pleasant Grove couple get probation in Viagra case
A Utah County couple probably found it a hard pill to swallow when federal agents busted them for distributing fake Viagra and Cialis for a Hong Kong-based counterfeit drug operation.On Monday federal prosecutors cut them a break, sparing them prison time, in exchange for helping them with their investigation, which led to the bust of a Chinese dealer.
By Geoffrey Fattah
18 March 2008
Read the full story at deseretnews.com.
Posted by jclass at 04:05 PM
Ghana: Counterfeit Diabetic Drugs On the Market
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.Last year, a delegation of students and lecturers from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services of the Florida A&M University led by Prof Henry Lewis arrived in Ghana to explore avenues of cooperation with some Ghanaian organizations.
According to the head of the delegation, whose other member is Assistant Professor Yussif M. Dokurugu, interesting results came out of the research work of the organizations and students they worked with.
17 March 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:22 PM
EU launches public consultation on counterfeit drugs
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the dangers of counterfeit drugs, and is asking all stakeholders and interested parties to submit key ideas for regulatory reform by May 9.Counterfeit medicines have become an increasing threat for patients, healthcare professionals and the industry, and a concern for European Union and national policymakers, says the Commission. In particular, it notes the following “worrying” trends: a sharp increase in seized fake medicines at EU customs borders; the counterfeiting of life-saving drugs; targeting by counterfeiters of the “classical” supply chain; and a “blurred line” between counterfeit and substandard active substances in medicines.
By Lynne Taylor
17 March 2008
Read the full story at pharmatimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 04:06 PM
Fighting the Online Drug Corner
Close to 10 percent of high school seniors have used an addictive, dangerous prescription narcotic within the past year. This is more than 10 times the rate of heroin use. Only tobacco, alcohol and marijuana are abused more frequently. Many young people wrongly believe that prescription painkillers, even if taken without a prescription, are not addictive and are much safer than street drugs. They also say that prescription drugs are "available everywhere."Although we don't know precisely how much prescription narcotic drug abuse is fueled by Internet purchases, we can get a sense of the availability of these drugs by going online and searching for, say, "vicodin without prescription" or "oxycontin without prescription." Search engines immediately identify thousands of Web sites that advertise these drugs and offer to take any major credit card for payment.
By Mathea Falco and Philip Heymann
15 March 2008
Read the full story at washingtonpost.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:03 PM
Tainted Blood Drug to Face Import Tests
The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that all heparin products being imported into the United States would be stopped and tested for a possibly dangerous contaminant. The action comes after the agency’s inspectors in China found the contaminant in 20 of the 28 lots of the drug’s active ingredient inside a plant that supplied it to much of the American market.
By WALT BOGDANICH
15 March 2008
Read the full story at nytimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 04:09 PM
China arrests leaders of fake drug ring
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have arrested 10 people they said were responsible for making and selling fake drugs in eastern Jiangsu Province, state media reported on Friday."The fake drug ring penetrated 14 provinces across the country and had dozens of underground paths of distribution selling human albumin," Xinhua News Agency quoted provincial officials as saying.
14 March 2008
Read the full story at reuters.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:55 PM
Imports of counterfeit goods on the rise
The Revenue's customs service has warned that the number of counterfeit products being brought into Ireland from abroad through the post is on the increase.The level of fakes is increasing despite a record detection level last year. Revenue officials said today that counterfeit products coming to Ireland from China now account for 90% of all counterfeit goods sold here.
14 March 2008
Read the full story at rte.ie.
Posted by jclass at 04:10 PM
Brian Liang: How to crack down on counterfeit drugs from China
If hundreds of Americans were poisoned after ingesting counterfeit drugs from China, uproar would follow. Voters would demand a ban on Chinese pharmaceutical imports. U.S. lawmakers might feel obliged to enact one.This scenario is less far-fetched than it sounds. Last year, two American and three Australian children were hospitalized after swallowing Aqua Dots, popular beads used in arts and crafts projects. The beads were produced in China and were found to contain a chemical that converts into the so-called "date-rape" drug when swallowed.
By BRYAN LIANG
14 March 2008
Read the full story at unionleader.com.
Posted by jclass at 04:08 PM
Manitoba to stop licensing net pharmacies
Manitoba regulators have decided to stop licensing the province's controversial Internet pharmacies, arguing it is impossible to oversee operations whose customers live mostly in another country.The move, scheduled to take effect at the end of June, could kill the industry in Manitoba, prompting its 22 businesses to close or relocate.
By Tom Blackwell
13 March 2008
Read the full story at nationalpost.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:04 PM
Online pharmacy that sold drugs to local teen faces the heat
WAVY.com continues to follow developing news concerning illegal online drugs. Police have shut down the out-of-state pharmacy that sent medication to a local 16-year-old. And now, we've learned the pharmacy is accused of contributing to another person's death.Tracy Taylor tells us her troubles began when her husband was in a car accident. His doctor prescribed painkillers - and he became addicted. His wife Kelly says soon what was prescribed was not enough, so he would go online and get more.
13 March 2008
Read the full story at wavy.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:03 PM
Widow claims Kansas pharmacy contributed to husband's death
WICHITA, Kansas, March 13, 2008 –- A Valley Center woman prompted the investigation of a small town Kansas pharmacy. Now the attorney general will investigate Hogan's Pharmacy in Lyons for illegally selling prescription drugs over the Internet."He was very kind and compassionate, a great guy,” said Kelee Taylor of her husband Tracy. Kelee and Tracy married in January of 2007. "It was wonderful,” Kelee said. “It was the best time of my life."
13 March 2008
Read the full story at ksn.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:02 PM
Oklahoma authorities make 3 arrests in online pharmacy case
State authorities have arrested three people from Grove they say are connected with an Internet pharmacy in Delaware County. County drug task force officers arrested Randolph Earl Enyart, 45; Kristina Donohoe, 25; and Tammy Walker, 37. The alleged operator of the pharmacy, Norman Edward Enyart Jr., also known as J.R. Enyart, is expected to surrender, authorities said.12 March 2008
Read the full story at indiancountrynews.net.
Posted by jclass at 11:04 PM
Kenya tackles drug counterfeiting
A two-year-old boy is rushed to a Kwale hospital in Kenya’s Coast Province. The clinical officer at the health facility diagnoses febrile convulsions and quickly rushes to the hospital’s pharmacy for a dose of medicine that will ease the boy’s suffering. But nothing happens, so the boy is given additional doses but still the boy does not respond. Finally, he dies. Only later, upon investigation, is it discovered that the drug had no active ingredients. The drug was a fake. Read how health officials and drug manufacturers are developing ways to battle counterfeiting in an effort to keep this African nation from becoming what some would call “a healthcare catastrophe.”
By Denis Gathanju
7 March 2008
Read the full story at healthcare-packaging.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:20 PM
Authorities say they see link between pharmacy, eight deaths
GROVE, Okla. — Authorities investigating what they say is a link between an online pharmacy and eight deaths related to prescription-drug overdoses said none of the deaths occurred in the area.“None of the deaths were in Oklahoma,” said Michael Eason, an investigator for the Delaware County Drug Task Force. “I really can’t expound on it.” The overdoses are related to the muscle relaxant Soma that may have been purchased online, authorities say. Just recently, authorities say, a Grove man allegedly had been operating an illegal pharmacy out of a relative’s home.
By Greg Grisolano
6 March 2008
Read the full story at joplinglobe.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:08 AM
Rights watch raises concern over President Jammeh's HIV/AIDS "cure"
Dakar, Senegal - The United Nations and its member states are failing to address serious threats to life and health posed by the promotion of unproven AIDS 'cures' and by counterfeit antiretroviral drugs," a global rights body, Human Rights Watch, stated in a recently released dossier.In the dossier, titled "Dangerous medicines: Unproven AIDS cures and counterfeit antiretroviral drugs" released 28 February, the rights body named the Gambia and Iran among countries which "deserve particular scrutiny."
04 March 2008
Read the full story at afriquenligne.fr.
Posted by jclass at 08:16 PM
AmCham expresses concerns about illegal, counterfeit drugs
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- "A lot of illegal and counterfeit drugs are being sold on the Taiwan market," said Jeffrey Harris, managing director of Orient Commercial Enquiries, "and this poses a clear and present health danger to Taiwanese consumers."Harris made the remarks at an American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei Intellectual Property and Licensing Committee luncheon held at the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel in Taipei yesterday.
By Brian Asmus
4 March 2008
Read the full story at chinapost.com.tw.
Posted by jclass at 01:40 PM
Company Executives Unite to Fight Piracy
Top corporate leaders from around the world gathered in New York Monday to unveil new strategies to fight worldwide piracy and counterfeiting. From VOA's New York Bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau reports the business leaders say an epidemic of intellectual property theft undermines creativity, jeopardizes investments and creates consumer health risks.
By Barbara Schoetzau
04 March 2008
Read the full story at voanews.com.
Posted by jclass at 01:39 PM
The Net and Prescription Drugs
Today’s college students are more comfortable than many earlier generations in using the Internet to find and buy goods and services. This also applies to finding less expensive and conveniently-delivered pharmaceutical and related products. More and more online pharmacies and osteopathic sites are available in locations around the world.So what’s the problem? The World Health Organization estimates that up to 50% of drugs bought from web-based suppliers are fake.
03 March 2008
Read the full story at cshal.org.
Posted by jclass at 02:56 PM
Is It Safe To Order Medicine Online?
For generations, we've gotten used to obtaining over-the-counter and prescription medications by going to the drugstore and buying it there. But nowadays, with the help of modern technology and the internet, ordering medications have never been this easy. With just the click of a few buttons, your medications are validated and queued to be sent to your doorstep. But just how safe is it to order medicine online?
Abbey Grace Yap
1 March 2008
Read the full story at articlekarma.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:59 AM
Fake drug trade flourishes alarmingly under wraps!
IN AN AGE of rampant piracy in almost every sector imaginable, it is next to impossible to distinguish the genuine from the dubious. And when you have no idea which is which, you better be sure that things are far from rosy for you. It all started with piracy taking the wind out of the sails of software manufacturing giants like Microsoft, Adobe and Macromedia; the cheaper, pirated versions of their products were easily available in the major grey markets of the world. It then spread to the music industry, bringing down sales of big record labels, as music enthusiasts around the world downloaded songs over the Internet for free or bought cheaper compilations on CDs and tapes. All this was fine until the next victim that piracy claimed was an industry that was into the noble task of healing the sick. Perhaps, there could be nothing worse than the health industry falling prey to medical piracy, as the well-being of the sick goes for a toss.
Manab J. Kharkatary
01 March 2008
Read the full story at merinews.com.
Posted by jclass at 11:57 AM