World News

WASHINGTON — Taking a step toward allowing the widespread importation of cheap prescription drugs, lawmakers on Thursday introduced legislation that would bar U.S. trade representatives from forging agreements to block such deals. By Jonathan M. Katz, Associated Press July 28, 2005 Read the full story at newsday.com.

Thousands of packets of an anti-cholesterol drug taken by millions of Britons as a treatment for heart disease are to be recalled after the discovery of counterfeit pills awaiting distribution to NHS patients. By Sam Lister July 28, 2005 Read the full story at timesonline.co.uk

ORLANDO, Fla.-While Medicare is in the process of sending its users information on how to apply for help with drug costs this summer, AAA already has a simple solution that many may already be carrying in their wallet: the AAA Prescription Savings program. July 27, 2005 Read the full story at businesswire.com.

Since the recall of 18 million Lipitor tablets in 2003, the Food and Drug Administration has been investigating how counterfeit Lipitor pills made their way into United States pharmacies. By Stephanie Saul July 26, 2005 Read the full story at nytimes.com.

LANSING — State House Democrats say Michigan residents could save big on prescription drugs if the state joins a program letting them purchase medicines from Canada and other countries. By David Eggert, Associated Press July 25, 2005 Read the full story at freep.com.

With the cost of a dozen daily prescriptions routinely eating into his wallet, John McClure decided years ago to cut his spending by cutting his pills. With his doctor's go-ahead, the cardiac patient buys double doses of certain medicines and then splits the drugs in half – effectively stretching a month's supply for two months.…

When Florida authorities raided a group of Internet-based pharmacies last week, a ripple of anxiety spread among people who use no-questions-asked Web sites to order powerful pain-killers and psychoactive drugs. July 21, 2005 Read the full story at news-journalonline.com.

The medication you rely on to treat a critical illness may be fake. In other words, it may be ineffective and maybe even harmful. Problem pills are making their way into hospitals and pharmacies and prosecutors found a connection to a Kissimmee wholesaler. July 21, 2005 Read the full story at wftv.com.

IMPAC announced a new accreditation process for the wholesale pharmaceutical industry to address the safety of the drug supply domestically and internationally. July 21, 2005 Read the full story at arrivenet.com.

MIAMI — A company was fined $10,000 Wednesday for selling phony, and potentially tainted, surgical mesh and was ordered to destroy all of the remaining counterfeit product. By the Associated Press July 20, 2005 Read the full story at sun-sentinel.com.