Archive for 2011
Sen. Vitter’s Proposed Amendment Raises Drug Safety Concerns
[The Senate is marking up the House's Agricultural Appropriations Bill (HR 2112). They are considering an amendment (#769) proposed by Senator Vitter which would allow for drug importation. The Partnership for Safe Medicines sent this letter to all members of the Senate today to urge them to oppose importation.] Dear Senator, As a public health group…
[...]Researchers Show Fake Medicine Spammers Infiltrating Twitter
A new study by the University of Akron shows Twitter is a new forum for spammers to reach potential clients in counterfeit medicine scams. Say researchers Chandra Shekar, Kathy J. Liszka, and Chien-Chung Chan, “Spammers have pounced on this new opportunity for a fast and dishonest dollar, disseminating pornography, fake lotteries, fake inheritances, counterfeit watches,…
[...]Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Sponsors Partnership for Safe Medicines Interchange 2011
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world’s largest generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than…
[...]Partnership for Safe Medicines Executive Director Speaks at Brazil Counterfeit Drug Forum
Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2011) – Addressing the growing public health crisis posed by counterfeit medicines in Brazil requires the coordinated effort of all stakeholders across the country, said Partnership for Safe Medicines Executive Director Scott LaGanga during a forum today in Rio de Janeiro on counterfeit medicines hosted by Interfarma and Brazilian newspaper O…
[...]PSM Executive Director Headlines Brazil Counterfeit Medicines Forum
PSM Executive Director Scott LaGanga joined public and private sector leaders from across Brazil today to discuss the critical need to address the growing and borderless counterfeit medicines epidemic, an issue that Brazilian Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo called “one of the most important to Brazilian society.”
The event, hosted by Interfarma and O Globo, featured the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE) release of a national opinion survey which found that more education is needed to ensure that consumers are informed of the dangers associated with counterfeit medicines.
According to the survey, nearly 30 percent of Brazilian consumers do not verify if a prescribed or over-the-counter medicine is still within its due date. More than half “ignore the security seal.”
“By no means is this issue getting any easier to address,” said Scott LaGanga. “To be effective in the long-term, we need global collaboration on the part of both government and the private sector. Only then can we put our best foot forward in protecting millions of patients from the life-threatening risks associated with counterfeit drugs.”
Kibble Image
Deputy Director of ICE Keynote Speaker for Interchange
Kumar C. Kibble will be the keynote speaker for The Partnership for Safe Medicine’s Interchange on October 27, 2011 at the National Press Club.
Kumar C. Kibble is the deputy director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In that capacity, he is the chief operating officer for the principal investigative agency of the Department of Homeland Security, with more than 20,000 employees assigned to more than 400 offices worldwide and an annual budget of almost $6 billion.
The Princess of Africa and Youssou N’Dour Produce Song to Raise Counterfeit Medicine Awareness
INTERPOL is using music to raise consumer awareness of the risks and prevalence of counterfeit medications in Africa. INTERPOL is launching a song, “Proud To Be,” by South African music star Yvonne Chaka Chaka featuring Youssou N’Dour on October 27, 2011 at the Hotel Hilton in Nairobi, Kenya. Chaka Chaka, known as the Princess of…
[...]IAPO Seminar in Manilla Raises Awareness of Unsafe Medications
The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) conducted a seminar to build better understanding of patients needs in Pacific-Asia including the risks of counterfeit medications. “Patients should be the local leaders of a whole of society approach to tackling the pressing healthcare challenges of today,” announced IAPO at the seminar in Manilla, Philippines. The IAPO…
[...]