News Room

COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES

While the issue of counterfeit medicines is not new, there seems to be a growing prevalence of incidents reported by the media. The following articles highlight some of the reported cases, and dangers, of counterfeit medicines.

Indiana Adopts Legislation to Combat Illegitimate Online Pharmacies, Protect Residents From Counterfeit Drugs

(Earth Times - Apr. 2, 2008) Ordering prescription drugs online can be safe and convenient when patients use legitimate online pharmacies, but it is all too easy for patients to find themselves the recipients of counterfeit drugs from dishonest Web sites.

The drug scare that exposed a world of hurt

(The New York Times - Mar. 30, 2008) When cold medicine containing a poison made in China killed nearly 120 Panamanians in 2006 and early 2007, Americans could take some comfort in the belief that a similar epidemic could never happen here, not with one of the best drug regulatory systems in the world. And then came heparin.

EU launches public consultation on counterfeit drugs

(PharmaTimes - Mar. 17, 2008) The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the dangers of counterfeit drugs, and is asking all stakeholders and interested parties to submit key ideas for regulatory reform by May 9.

PharmaTimes - EU launches consultation on counterfeit drugs.pdf 14.02 kB

Importation no sure thing, despite candidates’ support

(Buffalo News - Mar. 15, 2008) Importing foreign drugs would be politically dangerous for the next president — and just plain dangerous for Americans.

Drug recall puts overseas inspections in spotlight; Experts question whether North American governments can ensure the safety of drugs made with ingredients from China

(The Globe and Mail - Mar. 7, 2008) A major U.S. recall of a blood-thinning drug linked to a Chinese factory last week is prompting new questions over the ability of government and industry to ensure the safety of drugs made with ingredients from China. The country's questionable safety reputation, combined with reports of death and serious illness associated with Chinese products in the past year, has convinced some experts and industry members that North American governments need a more aggressive approach to overseas inspections and safety checks.

Rights watch raises concern over President Jammeh's HIV/AIDS "cure"

(Afriquenligne - Mar. 5, 2008) The United Nations and its member states are failing to address serious threats to life and health posed by the promotion of unproven AIDS 'cures' and by counterfeit antiretroviral drugs," a global rights body, Human Rights Watch, stated in a recently released dossier.

FDA warns Duluth about presciption importation from Canada

(Worthington Daily Globe - Feb. 26, 2008) The Food and Drug Administration has warned the city of Duluth that a program to import prescription drugs from Canada and save money for city workers is unsafe and most likely violates federal law.

Counterfeit Anti-malarial Drugs Sold in Shan State

(The Irrawaddy News - Feb. 8, 2008) Stalls in the central market in Kengtub sell -- amongst other goods -- a range of multi-colored pills in clear plastic bags arranged on wooden trays or in plastic baskets with no indication of what they are, where they were produced, instructions for their use or warnings—or an expiration date. Among the medications sold are counterfeit anti-malarial drugs.