Policy/Enforcement News
Tuberculosis Patient Safety Jeopardized by Counterfeit Antibiotics
Karachi police shut down a pharmaceuticals factory producing counterfeit antibiotics used for tuberculosis, confiscating fakes worth Rs20 million and arresting twelve people. The Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences contacted officials after suspecting the drugs to be counterfeit and experts determined the medication was “completely bogus,” said Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, director of the…
[...]Spam Sells Drugs From Fake Pharmacies and Infects Computers Too
78% of all email is spam, and of that 66% is fake pharmacy spam. But the danger isn’t a clogged inbox: it’s dangerous fake medicine and computers disabled by viruses. While more than 50% of all email is fake pharmacy spam, this is better than it used to be. Drug spam alone used to be…
[...]E-pedigree: Effective Safety Efforts Too Important to Rush
The pharmacy board met on March 25 in San Diego to consider whether or not it is necessary to move the deadline to implement an electronic pedigree system back to 2011. The law’s intent to protect the consumer against counterfeits is sound. However, technological and other practical realities must be taken into account. Thankfully, the…
[...]Czech Police Find Hundreds of Thousands of Fake Pills
Czech police announced today that they busted an organized crime ring that had a factory that made “hundreds of thousands of [counterfeit] tablets.” The crime ring, composed of ex-athletes, body builders, fitness trainers and coaches, produced and sold counterfeit anabolic steroids and other hormone-based drugs, reports Czech Position. The police’s unit for combating organized crime,…
[...]Counterfeit Drugs Removed from Manilla Shelves
A test-buy conducted by Filipino National Bureau of Investigation agents determined counterfeit medicines were being mass distributed by a drug store chain throughout The Philippines. Agents conducted raids of Sincere Drug Store branches and its warehouse facility in Bacolod City in June, acting on complaints that counterfeits of medications produced by legitimate Filipino manufacturers…
[...]Harrisburg Pharmacist Sentenced for Running Fake Online Pharmacy
A Pennsylvania licensed pharmacist who operated a brick and mortar pharmacy in Harrisburg, PA, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for illegally distribution pain medication and stimulants over the internet. Stephen L. Marks, 67, formerly of Carlisle, PA, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and money laundering. At his plea, he admitted…
[...]Illinois Man Convicted of Shipping Meds for Fake Online Pharmacy
An Illinois resident pleaded guilty in Federal Court to conspiracy to distribute and dispenses Schedule III and IV controlled substances and to illegal use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug crime by shipping drug orders for fake online pharmacy customers. Steven B. Immergluck, 35, of Aurora, IL, pleaded guilty without a trial. Immergluck…
[...]Owner of Rogue Pharmacy Network Arrested for Employing Hackers
Pavel Vrublevsky, co-owner of Rx-Promotion, a rogue online pharmacy affiliate network, as well as ChronoPay, the largest online payment processor in Russia, has been arrested by Russian authorities for allegedly hiring a hacker to attack a rival payment processing company. Russian state news, Vesti, reports that Vrublevsky allegedly hired a hacker who debilitated the current…
[...]Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Rising, But At A Slower Place
Since completion of its annual review of the incidence of pharmaceutical crime including the counterfeiting, illegal diversion and theft of medicines, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute has been engaged in briefings of drug regulators around the world.
[...]Fake online pharmacies US Congressional briefing, Thursday June 23, 2011
Many “online pharmacies” are not pharmacies at all – they are large criminal organizations that make money by selling fake drugs with little or no active ingredient. They are widely advertised through email spam and have convincing sounding names like “Trusted Pharmacy Co, UK.” But they are not real pharmacies accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, nor their products regulated by the FDA. These criminal enterprises usually reside in countries with little ability to enforce fraud and counterfeiting laws.
To provide insights into this important public health matter, the Partnership for Safe Medicines and Senator Chris Coons hosted a briefing for members of Congress and their staff at the US Capitol Visitors Center. You can watch the briefing below by pressing play, or watching it on YouTube.
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