Archive for February 2019
Canadian And American Pharmacists Associations Jointly Warn Against Drug Importation Policies
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) have issued a joint statement in opposition to U.S. federal legislation authorizing personal and commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada.
“While we recognize the desire to address affordability issues in the U.S.,” they write, “we strongly oppose the importation of prescription drugs from Canada because of the risks these policies pose to patient safety and
continuity of care.”
Millions Of Pills Sold As Herbal Supplements Contained An Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
Three individuals and four companies have pending plea agreements in federal court on charges related to the illegal importation and sale of $11 million worth of herbal remedies that contained an undisclosed active pharmaceutical ingredient. Over several years, two of the individuals involved manufactured millions of pills…
[...]Five People Charged Over The Death Of Ashley Romero From A Fake Fentanyl Pill
The U.S. Department of Justice handed down a superseding indictment in federal court charging five people for their roles in the counterfeit fentanyl pill death of a 32-year-old mother in Colorado in June 2018…
[...]Golean Detox USA Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Golean DETOX Capsules Due to Presence of Undeclared Sibutramine and Phenolphthalein
Products containing sibutramine pose a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. Health risks of ingesting phenolphthalein could include potentially serious gastrointestinal disturbances, irregular heartbeat, and cancer with long-term use. These products may also interact in life threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.
[...]Fake Cancer Medicine Found To Only Contain Acetaminophen
Counterfeit Iclusig (ponatinib), a cancer drug used to treat chronic myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was first found by a Swiss wholesaler. The World Health Organization is warning North American and European cancer patients after two batches of a fake cancer medication were found in three different countries and also sold on the internet…
[...]Partnership for Safe Medicines’ Statement on Florida’s Drug Importation Proposals
[UPDATE: This statement has been updated to include all three pieces of pending legislation in Florida. March 5, 2019] Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2019) – Shabbir Safdar, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, released the following statement today in response to three separate proposals from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and and the state…
[...]Large-Scale Counterfeit Fentanyl Pill Press Operation Found In Akron, Ohio Home
The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against an Akron, Ohio resident after a search of his home turned up items “consistent with a large-scale pill press operation.” Donyea Nelson received a nine-count indictment in federal court, which included charges for possession of fentanyl, possession of a pill press, and possession of die molds…
[...]“Canadian Shelves Would Run Dry” Warns Canadian Health Economist about U.S. Proposals to Raid Canadian Drug Supply
Some politicians have suggested that allowing the importation of prescription drugs from Canada would be a safe and effective way to lower the cost of medications for Americans, but this idea overlooks a very important fact: the Canadian drug supply chain is not built to support Canada’s population and the United States’…
[...]U.S. DOJ Alleges That New Jersey Company Was Selling Misbranded And Unapproved Drugs
Federal charges announced against two New Jersey residents for their roles in a conspiracy to market and distribute misbranded and unapproved new drugs. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a charge of conspiring to distribute and cause the receipt and delivery of misbranded new drugs against both Keith Kovaleski of South Amboy and Inew Maltez of Sayreville…
[...]Deadly fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills have spread to 46 states in the last two and a half years
As of January 2019, counterfeit, fentanyl-laced prescription pills have been reported in 46 states—every state except Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas and Nebraska. The number of states reporting associated deaths has risen 71 percent, from 17 in October 2016 to 29 in December 2018.
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