May 27, 2008
May 22, 2008
May 21, 2008
May 20, 2008
May 19, 2008
As per data released by the European Commission on Monday, India stands second after Switzerland in the list of top exporters of fake medicines to the EU in 2007 with 35% of the total fake drugs seized. In 2006, India was the leading source of fake drugs exported to the EU.
Last year, customs authorities in the 27 EU nations discovered 51 percent more cases of fake medicines, while seizures of counterfeit toys were up by 98 percent on 2006 levels and counterfeit cosmetic and personal care items up by 264 percent, according to a new EU report.
May 18, 2008
Fact: Despite many warnings in the media by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), there are still men who buy and take such drugs.
Question: Is it time to make the possession of fake ED drugs illegal? Right now, buyers of such drugs may end up in hospital, but not incourt.
May 17, 2008
Talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) here, she urged the provincial governments to take stern action against the uncertified medical practitioners and bring them to book.
May 16, 2008
We did not quantitatively estimate the public health impact of this crisis, but it must be staggering, the researchers wrote in the online journal Public Library of Science last weekend.
NEW DELHI: Manufacturing and dealing in counterfeit drugs could invite a punishment of upto life term and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh in future, according to new guidelines being framed by the Union Health Ministry.
The guidelines being formulated as part of amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, have been finalised and would be sent to the Law Ministry for approval after which they would be presented in the Parliament during the monsoon session, senior Health Ministry officials said.
May 15, 2008
Expected to start soon, the Rs 50-lakh study, to be spearheaded by drug controller general of India, Surinder Singh, and expected to take six months, will see drug inspectors pose as patients and pick up 31,000 drug samples.
The study has identified 61 popular drug brands from nine therapeutic categories that will be tested. They include anti-tuberculosis medication, anti-allergics, drugs to counter diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, anti-infective steroids, anti-malarials, NSAIDs, anti-histaminic and multi-vitamin preparations.
May 14, 2008
ASSOCHAM estimates that the lethal market is growing at 25% annually. In fact, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's latest figures say 75% of fake drugs supplied the world over have their origins in India.
Counterfeit medicines, already widespread in the developing world, are now being found increasingly in the EU. While Internet-based sales are the main source of counterfeit medicines, these products are also appearing in the traditional supply chain. Urgent measures are required to protect European patients, including a ban on medicine repackaging.
"Even one single case of counterfeit medicine is unacceptable", commented Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA. "Counterfeiting medicines is a highly lucrative criminal activity that can have serious consequences for the patient and can undermine public confidence in medicines.
May 13, 2008
Until recently, fake malaria drugs have been a problem largely confined to Southeast Asia, where a sampling two years ago found 53 percent of the drugs substandard, and drug experts said Asia was facing “an epidemic of counterfeits.”
A study released last week suggests that the epidemic is spreading to Africa, where the malaria burden is even greater, and the regulatory agencies are even weaker.
May 08, 2008
The accused person was allegedly injecting HIV/AIDS patients with a mixture of amino acids claiming that he was injecting them with tetrasil.
Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told a Congressional hearing that it believes a contaminant found in batches of heparin, which have killed at least 81 patients, might have been deliberately added. The source of the contaminant—oversulfated chondroitin sulphate—has been traced back to a Chinese supplier of drug manufacturer Baxter International.
May 06, 2008
Police have not ruled out such a possibility. “The extent of the scam will be revealed only after all the culprits are netted,” Khagaul police station inspector O N Sharma said. Police suspect the connivance of medics in the scam.
No prescription? No problem. Online pharmacies are everywhere. Email advertisements tout easy and legal access to all sorts of prescription drugs. Target 12 was able to order two bottles of pills- the scary part, so can your teenager.
May 05, 2008
"We are trying to encourage people to stop buying drugs off the Internet because you are not seeing what you are buying. In many instances these are counterfeit drugs and you don't know whether these medicines would in fact help you," an official at the Food and Drugs Administration said.
May 02, 2008
The strike, the first to be called by the union, was widely heeded, with most pharmacies across the country remaining closed, observers said.
PNG's Minister for Commerce and Industry Gabriel Kapris said fake medicines were being sold across the country.
May 01, 2008
He said that the drugs were hidden in 60 bags of rice and 70 bails of imported second hand clothes in the trailer. Iheanacho assured that his men would continue to check to curb the activities of smugglers.
Kenyans are believed to be spending about Sh4 billion each year on fake medicine, exposing them to health complications arising from taking drugs that are not effective against the illnesses they purport to cure.
Nigeria: NAFDAC Foils Attempt to Flood Market With Fake Drugs
Each passing year, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), led by Prof. Dora Akunyili has waged an increasingly successful war against counterfeit drugs which has pitted her against some of the West African nation's most wealthiest businessmen. In December 2003, there was an attempt on her life. The botched attempt however, did not slow the Agency's drive to rid the nation of fake and substandard drugs.
By Chioma Obinna
27 May 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:42 AM
California Man Indicted For Conspiracy In Operating Internet Pharmacy
Jorge Alan Rodriguez Sanchez, 32, was indicted by a grand jury in Philadelphia yesterday for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances through the operation of an illegal Internet pharmacy, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Alice S. Fisher and U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced today.22 May 2008
Read the full story at prnewswire.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:46 AM
Counterfeit drug market aided by Internet sales: Report
Emergence of Internet sales channels and transnational payment gateways are propelling the 50 billion dollar global counterfeit drug industry, while emerging economies like India are evolving as manufacturing hub for such markets, a latest report says.21 May 2008
Read the full story at expressindia.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:45 AM
NABP Names 79 Internet Drug Outlets Operating in Conflict With Patient Safety and Pharmacy Practice Standards
On May 16, 2008, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy(R) (NABP(R)) launched the Internet Pharmacies section of its Web site, educating patients on the potential dangers of buying medicine online and empowering them to make informed choices. Thus far, the site lists 79 Internet drug outlets that appear to be out of compliance with state and federal laws or NABP patient safety and pharmacy practice standards, thereby putting those who purchase from these sites in danger of purchasing drugs that could cause patients serious harm or even death.20 May 2008
Read the full story at redorbit.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:58 AM
India is 2nd largest exporter of fake medicines to EU
The following statistics may not give India much reason to cheer. The country is still the second largest counterfeit medicines exporter to the European Union in 2007, although it has forfeited the first position it held in 2006 to Switzerland.As per data released by the European Commission on Monday, India stands second after Switzerland in the list of top exporters of fake medicines to the EU in 2007 with 35% of the total fake drugs seized. In 2006, India was the leading source of fake drugs exported to the EU.
Reghu Balakrishnan
19 May 2008
Read the full story at financialexpress.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:44 AM
EU concerned by surge in imports of counterfeit drugs, toys, cosmetics
The European Union expressed concern on Monday about a major increase in imports of counterfeit drugs, cosmetics and toys, calling it a threat to public health and the region's economies.Last year, customs authorities in the 27 EU nations discovered 51 percent more cases of fake medicines, while seizures of counterfeit toys were up by 98 percent on 2006 levels and counterfeit cosmetic and personal care items up by 264 percent, according to a new EU report.
19 May 2008
Read the full story at iht.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:41 AM
Make buying of counterfeit ED drugs a crime
FACT: Fake ED drugs can kill. They can also cause coma, seizure, stroke and worsening of existing medical conditions.Fact: Despite many warnings in the media by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), there are still men who buy and take such drugs.
Question: Is it time to make the possession of fake ED drugs illegal? Right now, buyers of such drugs may end up in hospital, but not incourt.
By Ng Wan Ching
18 May 2008
Read the full story at asia1.com.sg.
Posted by jclass at 09:43 AM
Counterfeit drugs, quackery won’t be tolerated, warns Sherry
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Health Sherry Rehman said on Friday the government would not let counterfeit drug manufacturers and quackery to play with the health and lives of the innocent people.Talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) here, she urged the provincial governments to take stern action against the uncertified medical practitioners and bring them to book.
17 May 2008
Read the full story at paktribune.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:42 AM
Counterfeit malaria drugs on sale
More than a third of the anti-malarial medicines sold in Kampala are either counterfeit or are not strong enough to cure the disease, a survey has revealed. Because of this, scientists warn, malaria could easily become resistant to the new generation of medicines that have replaced chloroquine.We did not quantitatively estimate the public health impact of this crisis, but it must be staggering, the researchers wrote in the online journal Public Library of Science last weekend.
16 May 2008
Read the full story at newvision.co.ug.
Posted by jclass at 09:45 AM
Government to bring stricter laws for counterfeit drugs menace
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.NEW DELHI: Manufacturing and dealing in counterfeit drugs could invite a punishment of upto life term and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh in future, according to new guidelines being framed by the Union Health Ministry.
The guidelines being formulated as part of amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, have been finalised and would be sent to the Law Ministry for approval after which they would be presented in the Parliament during the monsoon session, senior Health Ministry officials said.
16 May 2008
Read the full story at indiatimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:41 AM
India to Initiate Massive Study of Counterfeit Drugs
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.Expected to start soon, the Rs 50-lakh study, to be spearheaded by drug controller general of India, Surinder Singh, and expected to take six months, will see drug inspectors pose as patients and pick up 31,000 drug samples.
The study has identified 61 popular drug brands from nine therapeutic categories that will be tested. They include anti-tuberculosis medication, anti-allergics, drugs to counter diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, anti-infective steroids, anti-malarials, NSAIDs, anti-histaminic and multi-vitamin preparations.
15 May 2008
Read the full story at medindia.net.
Posted by jclass at 09:43 AM
20% of drugs sold in India are fake, fear experts
NEW DELHI: A paracetamol tablet that fails to bring the fever down or, more seriously, a capsule for a heart condition that has no curative effect — imagine putting your faith in a medicine that doesn't cure you, or worse, actually harms your body. That could be a growing reality in India, with experts in the Indian pharma industry fearing that one in five drugs sold in the country are fake.ASSOCHAM estimates that the lethal market is growing at 25% annually. In fact, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's latest figures say 75% of fake drugs supplied the world over have their origins in India.
14 May 2008
Read the full story at timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 02:28 AM
Zero Tolerance For Counterfeit Drugs
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.Counterfeit medicines, already widespread in the developing world, are now being found increasingly in the EU. While Internet-based sales are the main source of counterfeit medicines, these products are also appearing in the traditional supply chain. Urgent measures are required to protect European patients, including a ban on medicine repackaging.
"Even one single case of counterfeit medicine is unacceptable", commented Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA. "Counterfeiting medicines is a highly lucrative criminal activity that can have serious consequences for the patient and can undermine public confidence in medicines.
14 May 2008
Read the full story at medicalnewstoday.com.
Posted by jclass at 02:26 AM
Counterfeit Malaria Drugs Emerging in Vulnerable Countries in Africa
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.Until recently, fake malaria drugs have been a problem largely confined to Southeast Asia, where a sampling two years ago found 53 percent of the drugs substandard, and drug experts said Asia was facing “an epidemic of counterfeits.”
A study released last week suggests that the epidemic is spreading to Africa, where the malaria burden is even greater, and the regulatory agencies are even weaker.
By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.
13 May 2008
Read the full story at nytimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 02:27 AM
Zambia: Fake Doctor Faces Arrest
A LUSAKA magistrate's court has issued a bench warrant against a Lusaka teacher who is charged with impersonating a medical doctor and allegedly administering fake HIV/AIDS drugs to unsuspecting Lusaka residents at a fee of K5 million.The accused person was allegedly injecting HIV/AIDS patients with a mixture of amino acids claiming that he was injecting them with tetrasil.
8 May 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:19 AM
Combating counterfeit drugs
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 week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told a Congressional hearing that it believes a contaminant found in batches of heparin, which have killed at least 81 patients, might have been deliberately added. The source of the contaminant—oversulfated chondroitin sulphate—has been traced back to a Chinese supplier of drug manufacturer Baxter International.
8 May 2008
Read the full story at thelancet.com.
Posted by jclass at 02:30 AM
Dubious drugs
It was a scam waiting to be exposed. On Monday, a senior divisional medical officer (DMO) blew the whistle on supply of fake drugs to Danapur Railway Hospital. The expose could be just the tip of the ice-berg, for medical practitioners have since long suspected a fake drug racket in major government hospitals.Police have not ruled out such a possibility. “The extent of the scam will be revealed only after all the culprits are netted,” Khagaul police station inspector O N Sharma said. Police suspect the connivance of medics in the scam.
Kumod Verma
6 May 2008
Read the full story at indiatimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:21 AM
Target 12 Investigators: No Prescription Needed
From anti-depressants to muscle relaxers, they're prescription drugs found online and drugs Target 12 was able to buy without a prescription. And if we were able to buy them, guess who else can? Your kids.No prescription? No problem. Online pharmacies are everywhere. Email advertisements tout easy and legal access to all sorts of prescription drugs. Target 12 was able to order two bottles of pills- the scary part, so can your teenager.
6 May 2008
Read the full story at myfoxprovidence.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:20 AM
Stop buying drugs off the Internet, says FDA official
As laws are being drafted to regulate the sale of alternative medicine, consumers are being warned against buying drugs off the Internet for personal use."We are trying to encourage people to stop buying drugs off the Internet because you are not seeing what you are buying. In many instances these are counterfeit drugs and you don't know whether these medicines would in fact help you," an official at the Food and Drugs Administration said.
Carolyn Kissoon
5 May 2008
Read the full story at trinidadexpress.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:20 AM
Senegal: Pharmacists Strike Over Counterfeit Drugs
The Union of Senegalese Private Pharmacists on Thursday called a seven-hour general strike - from 8 am to 3 pm- to protest against the illegal sale of drugs and increasing attacks on their businesses.The strike, the first to be called by the union, was widely heeded, with most pharmacies across the country remaining closed, observers said.
2 May 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:18 AM
Counterfeit Drugs 'Endangering PNG Lives'
Papua New Guineans lives are in danger due to increasing amounts of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals being sold in the country, the PNG government has warned.PNG's Minister for Commerce and Industry Gabriel Kapris said fake medicines were being sold across the country.
2 May 2008
Read the full story at sbs.com.au.
Posted by jclass at 02:29 AM
Customs Intercepts Cartons of Smuggled Drugs
Minna zonal command of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has intercepted 10 cartons of drugs illegally smuggled into the country. Mr. S. Iheanacho, the zonal controller of the NWS in Niger State made this known to leadership he said that the truck carrying the drugs was intercepted on the Minna-Suleja road.He said that the drugs were hidden in 60 bags of rice and 70 bails of imported second hand clothes in the trailer. Iheanacho assured that his men would continue to check to curb the activities of smugglers.
1 May 2008
Read the full story at tradingmarkets.com.
Posted by jclass at 01:55 PM
Kenya: Why We Are Losing the War Against Counterfeit Drugs
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is losing the war against counterfeit medicine on sale in Kenya - thanks to the lack of a law against fakes and proxy wars between manufacturers and importers.Kenyans are believed to be spending about Sh4 billion each year on fake medicine, exposing them to health complications arising from taking drugs that are not effective against the illnesses they purport to cure.
By Steve Mbogo
1 May 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 10:17 AM