September 30, 2008
Mental health patient Graham David Goodwin of Blenheim died after taking drugs that included an anti-depressant he had ordered from overseas and had mailed to him. It is believed to be the first death of its type where imported drugs were involved.
September 29, 2008
The chairman of the task force on counterfeit and fake drugs, Sebastian Bassey, who made this known in an interview with Businessday, stated that plans have been concluded for the destruction of the fake drugs.
Less is known, however, of the harm of contaminated goods to the Chinese people or of the steps being taken to regulate the industries. One man in China, however, provides insight into this issue.
“We have evidence on the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in some countries. With this matter, the Philippine government must have proper coordination with other countries to prevent such counterfeit medicines spreading from one country to another or one region to another,” said WHO representative in the Philippines Dr. Soe Nyunt-U.
September 23, 2008
The doctors were carrying out research into the medicine Miltefosine which is used to treat the infectious disease Leishmaniasis (also known as black fever).
“Legal provisions are being tightened to provide stiffer punishment to offenders and quality parameters are being made mandatory. Now no manufacturing activity can take place without the adoption of these norms which help in keeping a check on the quality of the final product,” Mr Kumar said.
September 21, 2008
Realizing the threat posed by fake medicine to national health and the pharmaceutical industry, the Health Ministry is proposing a new bill next year to combat the menace.
Truong Van Tuan, chairman of HCMC’s Hospital Pharmacists’ Association, said fake drugs were on the rise as scientific development and free trade policies between countries had made the purchase and manufacture of pharmaceutical material and packaging relatively easy.
It has been a thriving business. "They always come back to buy more," said the 20-year-old of his customers. But Mazen and even sellers of legitimate medications are likely to find it much harder to get hold of goods to hawk these days.
September 20, 2008
The companies are marketing their supposed cancer curing drugs to cancer patients who are looking for herbal treatments to help cure them of cancer.
September 19, 2008
Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Ludford said medicines sold in cyber-space often contained toxic substances including paint and shoe polish. A report has show that 95 per cent of sales online are made through unregistered pharmacies.
September 18, 2008
The IPHA, in a statement, said to date, this country has had very few incidences of counterfeit drugs attempting to enter the legitimate supply chain.
Reimportation, as the practice is known, has been controversial for years, even as some supporters have arranged trips to Canada and Mexico for patients to stock up on cheaper medications.
September 15, 2008
Popular branded products like Vastarel, Neo-Codion, Viagra and Tanakan have been faked and sold at much cheaper prices than those supplied by authorised producers.
September 14, 2008
"It's a serious problem, simply because of the potential for health issues, and the potential for deaths if it is not taken seriously," said Matthew Friedrich, the acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's criminal division.
September 13, 2008
Officials at the National Drug Authority, the body charged with ensuring that all drugs coming into the country are of good quality, have now admitted that individuals dealing in counterfeit drugs are maneuvering through the country's porous borders and selling fake drugs on the local market.
September 11, 2008
The menace of fake and counterfeit medicines in the country can only be eliminated if the government makes it mandatory for pharmacists to sell medicines on prescription from a registered medical practitioner, said PMA Honorary General Secretary Dr Samrina Hashmi.
September 10, 2008
She said they should not compromise the health of Ghanaians by dealing in unprofessional acts that can undermine the health of their clients. Speaking at a stakeholder forum organised by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Global Partnership for Safe Medicines in Accra, she noted that safe medicines should not be a privilege but a necessity for all Ghanaians.
He said the FDB would work together with other stakeholders in the world to ensure that drugs that are brought into this country meet the right standards.
According to reports, at least 35% of drugs entering the market are thought to be counterfeit, including at least 30% of the antimalarial drugs in rural areas of Southeast Asia.
September 06, 2008
September 04, 2008
Last week, Medial Services Minister Anyang’ Nyongo’ said that up to 80 percent of medicinal drugs found in the country are counterfeits, with a larger percentage of the drugs being used to treat malaria.
September 03, 2008
September 01, 2008
A statement endorsed by the Public Relations Officer in the state Ministry of Health, Mr. Jide Lawal, disclosed that the exercise was meant to put a stop to the dangers associated with the activities of illegal operators both from within and outside the state.
Action urged on internet drugs
Parliament is being urged to crack down on the illegal importation of prescription medicines after a user's death.Mental health patient Graham David Goodwin of Blenheim died after taking drugs that included an anti-depressant he had ordered from overseas and had mailed to him. It is believed to be the first death of its type where imported drugs were involved.
By Jarrod Booker
30 September 2008
Read the full story at nzherald.co.nz.
Posted by jclass at 09:19 PM
Fake drugs worth N8.3 million destroyed by task force
As part of efforts to check the growing incidence of adulterated medications and unwholesome processed foods, fake drugs worth over N8.3 million have been seized in Akwa Ibom State.The chairman of the task force on counterfeit and fake drugs, Sebastian Bassey, who made this known in an interview with Businessday, stated that plans have been concluded for the destruction of the fake drugs.
BY ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
29 September 2008
Read the full story at businessdayonline.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:56 PM
Two-Thirds of Chinese Drug Stores Sell Counterfeit Medicine, Says Investigator
There has been much coverage by Western media over the last two years about the health risks posed by "Made in China" products, including Chinese export of counterfeit medicines. Chinese counterfeit medicines may have already caused hundreds—if not thousands—of deaths outside of China.Less is known, however, of the harm of contaminated goods to the Chinese people or of the steps being taken to regulate the industries. One man in China, however, provides insight into this issue.
By Qiao Qi
29 September 2008
Read the full story at epochtimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:56 PM
WHO asks for strong monitoring to prevent spread of fake medicines
The World health Organization (WHO) office in Manila has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to strengthen monitoring of drugs to prevent the possible spread of counterfeit medicines in the country.“We have evidence on the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in some countries. With this matter, the Philippine government must have proper coordination with other countries to prevent such counterfeit medicines spreading from one country to another or one region to another,” said WHO representative in the Philippines Dr. Soe Nyunt-U.
29 September 2008
Read the full story at balita.ph.
Posted by jclass at 08:55 PM
Dutch doctors uncover fake Bangladesh medicine
Two Dutch doctors from the Slotervaart hospital in Amsterdam appear to have stumbled on a medical scandal in Bangladesh, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.The doctors were carrying out research into the medicine Miltefosine which is used to treat the infectious disease Leishmaniasis (also known as black fever).
23 September 2008
Read the full story at dutchnews.nl.
Posted by jclass at 08:57 PM
Govt plans task force to deal with fake drugs
MUMBAI: The Centre is planning to set up a task force to deal with counterfeit drugs. All stakeholders of the industry, including pharma companies, NGOs and the government would have representation on the committee, said Ashok Kumar, secretary, department of pharmaceuticals.“Legal provisions are being tightened to provide stiffer punishment to offenders and quality parameters are being made mandatory. Now no manufacturing activity can take place without the adoption of these norms which help in keeping a check on the quality of the final product,” Mr Kumar said.
23 September 2008
Read the full story at indiatimes.com.
Posted by jclass at 08:57 PM
New bill to help curb counterfeit medicines
KUALA LUMPUR: Pharmaceutical counterfeiters beware -- stiffer penalties, including mandatory jail sentences, await offenders as authorities step up their fight against fake medicine.Realizing the threat posed by fake medicine to national health and the pharmaceutical industry, the Health Ministry is proposing a new bill next year to combat the menace.
22 September 2008
Read the full story at nst.com.my.
Posted by jclass at 09:27 PM
Fake drugs made easy
Local counterfeiters are making out like bandits as producing and selling fake medicine disguised as big brand pharmaceuticals simply isn’t that hard in Vietnam, according to participants at a conference Saturday.Truong Van Tuan, chairman of HCMC’s Hospital Pharmacists’ Association, said fake drugs were on the rise as scientific development and free trade policies between countries had made the purchase and manufacture of pharmaceutical material and packaging relatively easy.
21 September 2008
Read the full story at thanhniennews.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:26 PM
Iraq takes steps to curb sales of counterfeit drugs
BAGHDAD - Amid the cacophony of Baghdad's Bab Sharaji market, Yasir Mazen has peddled counterfeit Viagra and other pills, gels and creams promising cures for ailments ranging from sexual dysfunction to bad skin.It has been a thriving business. "They always come back to buy more," said the 20-year-old of his customers. But Mazen and even sellers of legitimate medications are likely to find it much harder to get hold of goods to hawk these days.
By Tina Susman and Caesar Ahmad
21 September 2008
Read the full story at baltimoresun.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:26 PM
FTC Warns Consumers of Fake Cancer Curing Drugs
It is being reported that the Federal Trade Commission is going on the attack against companies claiming to have in their possession, cancer curing drugs and are suing 5 such companies for attempting to sell them to people.The companies are marketing their supposed cancer curing drugs to cancer patients who are looking for herbal treatments to help cure them of cancer.
20 September 2008
Read the full story at chattershmatter.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:29 PM
Online bogus drug alert
ISLINGTON’S member for the European Parliament has warned of the increase in bogus drugs being sold to unsuspecting patients through the internet.Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Ludford said medicines sold in cyber-space often contained toxic substances including paint and shoe polish. A report has show that 95 per cent of sales online are made through unregistered pharmacies.
BY ROISIN GADELRAB
19 September 2008
Read the full story at thecnj.co.uk.
Posted by jclass at 09:30 PM
Warning on counterfeit meds
Continued vigilance is required to minimise the risk of counterfeit medicines being supplied in Ireland, according to the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA).The IPHA, in a statement, said to date, this country has had very few incidences of counterfeit drugs attempting to enter the legitimate supply chain.
By Niall Hunter
18 September 2008
Read the full story at irishhealth.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:32 PM
McCain, Obama rethink drug reimportation: aides
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain are reviewing their support for allowing individuals to import cheaper prescription drugs in light of tainted medicines and other goods made in other countries, their advisers said on Thursday.Reimportation, as the practice is known, has been controversial for years, even as some supporters have arranged trips to Canada and Mexico for patients to stock up on cheaper medications.
By Susan Heavey
18 September 2008
Read the full story at reuters.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:30 PM
Counterfeit drugs common in HCM City, say health officials
HCM CITY — Health officials in HCM City have launched a concerted campaign against the manufacture and distribution of fake medicines after busting several such operations recently.Popular branded products like Vastarel, Neo-Codion, Viagra and Tanakan have been faked and sold at much cheaper prices than those supplied by authorised producers.
15 September 2008
Read the full story at vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn.
Posted by jclass at 09:31 PM
Counterfeit Drugs, Real Problems
The international, multi-billion-dollar black market for counterfeit pharmaceuticals is of growing concern to law enforcement because of the sometimes lethal consequences for patients taking medicine that doesn't perform as advertised. Law enforcement is worried about the consequences of black market drugs."It's a serious problem, simply because of the potential for health issues, and the potential for deaths if it is not taken seriously," said Matthew Friedrich, the acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's criminal division.
By PIERRE THOMAS, TED WINNER and THERESA COOK
14 September 2008
Read the full story at abcnews.go.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:28 PM
Uganda: Country Battles Problem of Counterfeit Drugs
As the Ministry of Health struggles to combat various epidemics that are claiming millions of lives like HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria, unscrupulous people are also doing what it takes to make billions of shillings out of the misfortune.Officials at the National Drug Authority, the body charged with ensuring that all drugs coming into the country are of good quality, have now admitted that individuals dealing in counterfeit drugs are maneuvering through the country's porous borders and selling fake drugs on the local market.
Jane Nafula
13 September 2008
Read the full story at allafrica.com.
Posted by jclass at 09:32 PM
Rs 15m in fake drugs found
KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recovered counterfeit life-saving drugs worth around Rs 15 million on Wednesday, prompting the Pakistan Medical Association to reiterate that only prescriptions should be allowed.The menace of fake and counterfeit medicines in the country can only be eliminated if the government makes it mandatory for pharmacists to sell medicines on prescription from a registered medical practitioner, said PMA Honorary General Secretary Dr Samrina Hashmi.
11 September 2008
Read the full story at dailytimes.com.pk.
Posted by jclass at 09:29 PM
Don't Sell Counterfeit, Expired Medicine
The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Mrs Gladys Ashitey, yesterday called on health professionals and licensed medicine retailers not to play on the ignorance of clients and sell counterfeit and expired drugs to them.She said they should not compromise the health of Ghanaians by dealing in unprofessional acts that can undermine the health of their clients. Speaking at a stakeholder forum organised by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Global Partnership for Safe Medicines in Accra, she noted that safe medicines should not be a privilege but a necessity for all Ghanaians.
10 September 2008
Read the full story at modernghana.com.
Posted by jclass at 01:00 PM
Agyarko: FDB will ensure drug safety
The Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Board, Emmanuel Agyarko has assured the nation that his outfit will do everything within its power to ensure that drugs used in the country are not injurious to health.He said the FDB would work together with other stakeholders in the world to ensure that drugs that are brought into this country meet the right standards.
Cynthia Boakye
10 September 2008
Read the full story at thestatesmanonline.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:58 PM
Counterfeit drugs for malaria, other diseases threaten public health, WHO Director-General Chan says
The increasing availability of counterfeit drugs for malaria and other diseases poses a threat to public health, and governments must take action to supply affordable and effective treatments, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said Monday at the 26th Southeast Asia Region Health Ministers Meeting in New Delhi, Bernama/Daily Malaysian News reports.According to reports, at least 35% of drugs entering the market are thought to be counterfeit, including at least 30% of the antimalarial drugs in rural areas of Southeast Asia.
10 September 2008
Read the full story at news-medical.net.
Posted by jclass at 12:57 PM
Stop the flow of counterfeit drugs
The problem of counterfeit drugs being sold or distributed in developing countries has been around for some time. Some disreputable manufacturers specialise in the dangerous practice of producing spurious drugs which more often than not cause serious harm to those patients who take them. Some of the counterfeit drugs contain a small amount, but not enough, of the required medication, thereby building up a resistance to the genuine drug and its efficacy. It then becomes very difficult for doctors to treat such patients, especially if the drug is of specialist nature and no similar type is made.6 September 2008
Read the full story at gulfnews.com.
Posted by jclass at 12:59 PM
Kenya-WHO-counterfeit-drugs-malaria
APA-Nairobi (Kenya) The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday raised fears over the high level of counterfeit malaria drugs in Kenya. It blamed the lack of clear policy and a regulatory and monitoring body for the upsurge of counterfeit drugs.Last week, Medial Services Minister Anyang’ Nyongo’ said that up to 80 percent of medicinal drugs found in the country are counterfeits, with a larger percentage of the drugs being used to treat malaria.
4 September 2008
Read the full story at apanews.net.
Posted by jclass at 01:12 PM
Pharmacy Board burns fake drugs in Kenema
The Pharmacy Board in the Eastern Regional headquarter town of Kenema has on Monday 1st September 2008 destroyed fake, substandard, counterfeit and expired drugs by burning it at the government hospital compound along Combema road in Kenema city. Addressing the press at the burning site the Secretary attached to the Ad-hoc task force on drugs in Kenema and Kailahun districts in the Eastern Region Mr. Alieu Katta disclosed to the press that the drugs destroyed worth over twenty million leones and some of them were collected by him from pharmacy outlets in Buedu, Koidu town on the border with Guinea and Liberia, Kailahun, Daru, Segbwema, Tongo field, Panguma, Dodo, Boajibu among others in the Kailahun and Kenema districts.3 September 2008
Read the full story at awoko.org.
Posted by jclass at 01:15 PM
Task force seals off illegal pharmacies, arrests six operators
The Lagos State Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed off about 11 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine shops. It also arrested six of the operators in Mushin and Fadeyi areas, as part of measures to rid the state of fake and counterfeit drugs.A statement endorsed by the Public Relations Officer in the state Ministry of Health, Mr. Jide Lawal, disclosed that the exercise was meant to put a stop to the dangers associated with the activities of illegal operators both from within and outside the state.
By Mudiaga Affe
1 September 2008
Read the full story at punchng.com.
Posted by jclass at 01:14 PM