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Mile High Warnings of Counterfeit Drugs
It’s happening all the time. Nearly every day, there are new reports of counterfeit drugs flooding the world’s prescription drug market. Just last week, the Partnership for Safe Medicines posted a link about how counterfeit drugs are hastening drug-resistant strains of malaria. And the week before, we shared the news reports out of the United Kingdom about a raid on an Irish counterfeit drug distribution operation and the MHRA’s recall due to possible counterfeit inhalers found in the U.K. supply system.
[...]Consumer Protection Group Warns Against Online Swine Flu Treatments
Partnership for Safe Medicines cautions consumers against counterfeit influenza drugs WASHINGTON—The Partnership for Safe Medicines, a group of organizations and individuals dedicated to protect consumers from counterfeit medicines, issued the following statement regarding the treatments for the A/H1N1 swine influenza. In light of the international swine influenza outbreak, pharmacists and consumers need to be wary…
[...]Pharmacists Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs
Earlier this month, the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) released the L.E.A.D.E.R.’s Guide for Pharmacists to encourage pharmacists to take an active role in protecting the supply chain from counterfeit drugs. This effort is one of many to help curb the distribution of harmful and potentially deadly counterfeit drugs. Similarly, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Dispensing Doctor’s Association (DDA) issued Counterfeit medicines: Guidance for pharmacists, explaining the background of counterfeit drugs, their production and distribution to pharmacists.
[...]Strategizing for Safety from Counterfeit Drugs
On April 6, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released a summary of negotiations that have taken place since the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was introduced in June 2008. Countries from across the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Switzerland, have joined the ACTA to help governments combat the harmful manufacture and distribution of fake goods, such as counterfeit drugs.
[...]LEADERs in the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs
In the past two weeks, the Partnership for Safe Medicines issued two SafeMeds Alerts about counterfeit insulin pen needles and herbal medication adulterated with dangerously high levels of undeclared pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom. It is tempting to disregard these alerts since the drugs were found in England, not the United States. But in today’s global environment, we are all at risk when these unsafe products move through the drug supply chain undetected.
[...]Limiting Illegal Online Pharmacies Through International Cooperation
A recent U.S. study revealed that of 365 online pharmacies, only two were legitimate. So how can we realistically address this problem?
[...]Consumer Protection Group Opposes Drug Importation Bill
Partnership for Safe Medicines speaks clearly about the dangers of importing prescription drugs from Canada in its statement regarding the proposed “Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act” sponsored by Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Snowe (R-ME), McCain (R-AZ) and Stabenow (D-MI), which would allow for prescription drug importation.
[...]Proceed with Caution: Safely Purchasing from Online Pharmacies
As today’s economy has more and more people struggle to reduce costs, it is easy to understand why many consumers find purchasing medications online attractive. But online purchases represent the most dangerous example of “buyer beware”: the money you might save through an unverified online drug seller may cost you or your loved ones loss of health or life.
[...]Empowering the FDA to Stop Counterfeit Drugs
After years of neglect, I’m glad to see Congress give drug safety the attention it deserves. Last week, Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI 15), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ 06) and Bart Stupak (D-MI 01) introduced the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 (H.R.759). In addition to addressing several food safety issues, the proposed legislation addresses the real threat of substandard and counterfeit drugs.
[...]Expired Medication Found in US-Based Pharmacy Chains
It is important to remember that unsafe drugs are not confined to overseas and online pharmacies. Expired medications could be for sale at your corner drugstore.
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