PSM Applauds Launch of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies

Partnership for Safe Medicines Executive Director Scott LaGanga released the following statement on the launch of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP):

“Today, the Partnership for Safe Medicines is pleased to welcome another powerful ally in the fight against counterfeit drugs. It is our sincerest hope that the launch of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies will make it far more difficult for criminals to peddle dangerous and potentially lethal fake ‘medicines’ to unsuspecting victims.

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Flood of Counterfeit Drugs Confiscated by European Border Officials in 2011

A new report by the European Commission identified a 9-fold increase in counterfeit drug seizures in the EU since 2010. 

In 2011, counterfeit drug enforcement in the European Union broke up counterfeit drug rings in Spain and the United Kingdom, identified fake HIV medication in the market and convicted fake asthma inhaler distributors in the UK. The new Report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: Results At the EU Border-2011, showed “a continuous upward trend” in counterfeit medication confiscations at the border since 2010.

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Instructables (2nd week), Stanford, and UNC Charlotte get Pwned!

There is a certain amount of irony in this week’s collection of pwned websites hosting fake online pharmacies. While we are a little surprised that Instructables is still hosting a site selling Xanax, and perplexed that a Criminal Justice program at UNC Charlotte would be selling Cialis without a prescription, our biggest shock was seeing…

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UNODC Report Highlights Lucrative Nature of Global Counterfeit Drug Trade

“What is the real reason criminals counterfeit drugs?” As Congressman Jim Matheson said at the 2011 Partnership for Safe Medicine’s Interchange “follow the money.”

A recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlights why more counterfeit drug cases are appearing in news reports.  Organized crime makes billions each year off of drug counterfeiting, amongst their other activities.  The UNODC estimates global counterfeiting enterprises generate $250 billion (US) in annual profits.

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New Zealand Citizen Pleads Guilty in US Counterfeit Drug Case

View larger map Robin Han, a citizen of New Zealand, faces up to 30 years in prison and possible $6 million fine after his guilty plea on counterfeit drug charges. US attorneys from the Central District of California prosecuted Han on charges he conducted a large scale counterfeit drug trafficking business in the United States.…

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