“Moving Beyond the Avastin Incident”: PSM Counterfeit Drug Congressional Briefing held on March 15

Partnership for Safe Medicines sponsored a Congressional Briefing to explore the continued impact of counterfeit drugs on Thursday, March 15 in the Capitol Visitor Center at noon.

Moving Beyond the Avastin Incident:

The Continued Impact of Counterfeit Drugs in the United States

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to healthcare professionals and patients that a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin may have been purchased and used by some medical practices in the United States.

Analysis showed that the fake cancer drug did not contain any of Avastin’s active ingredient and instead contained substances ranging from starch and salt to solvent chemicals like acetone, which is used in paint thinner.

Sponsored by Congressman Brian Bilbray, Senator Michael Bennet and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, this Congressional Briefing explored the continued impact of counterfeit drugs in America.  It was held on Thursday, March 15 in the Capitol Visitor Center in room HVC-201.

Handouts and resources:

• Map of sales supply chain of fake Avastin
• Frequently Asked Questions about the 2011/2012 fake Avastin incident
• Our incident page on the 2011/2012 fake Avastin incident

Panel topics and speakers included:

• Opening Remarks: Supporting a Change in the U.S. Supply Chain
  Senator Michael Bennet [View Video]
• What Government Needs to Best Protect the U.S. Supply Chain
  Connie T. Jung, R.Ph., Ph.D., U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [View Video]
• Safeguarding U.S. Citizens from Counterfeit Drugs
  Shay Reid, Pharmaceutical Distribution Security Alliance (PDSA)  [View PowerPoint] [View Video]
• Closing Remarks: The Partnership for Safe Medicine’s Call to Action
  Joel White, on behalf of the Partnership for Safe Medicines [View PowerPoint] [View Video]