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.
Is this medicine dangerous to your health?
(Parade - February 18, 2007) Prescription drugs seem safe, but beware... Could your medicine be fake? Counterfeit drugs are finding their way into the hands of trusting consumers like you.
Published by the Washington Post.
Parade - Is this medicine dangerous.pdf 413.59 kB
Counterfeit medicine shipped from Malta caught in UK
(Malta Star - January 31, 2007) Law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom have recently seized a shipment of drugs, shipped from Malta, which was found to contain a number of counterfeit medicines.
Malta Star - counterfeit drugs January 31.pdf 52.84 kB
U.S. Congress threatens Canada's prescription drug supply
(OPA Today - January 10, 2007) Canadian pharmacist and patients' groups warned that the federal government should act soon to protect Canada's prescription drug supply following the introduction of a bulk import bill in the U.S Congress. An independent study by the University of Texas at Austin shows that Canada's current drug supply would only last for 38 days if Americans are allowed to buy Canadian medicine in bulk.
OPA Today - Congress threatens Canada's prescription drug supply.pdf 57.80 kB
Fake medicines 'a growing menace'
(BBC News Online - November 22, 2006) The European Union must put tougher measures in place to stamp out the growing problem of trading in counterfeit medicines, a report warns. The global nature of the drugs industry meant patients everywhere were now potentially at risk. Some counterfeit medicines have been found to contain toxic substances, such as anti-freeze. Some have small amounts of the active substance, others none at all.
BBC NEWS - Fake medicines a growing menace.pdf 27.98 kB
Warning of online drugs 'danger'
(BBC News - August 10, 2006) People who buy medicines over the internet could be unwittingly putting their health at risk, warn UK doctors. Some drugs are fake and contain ingredients bearing little resemblance to the medicine named on the bottle
BBC NEWS - online drugs danger.pdf 20.13 kB
Inside the world of counterfeit drugs
(Dateline NBC - June 4, 2006) Dateline's Chris Hansen investigates how fake prescription drugs have popped up at pharmacies and online. Some fake medicines are hard to distinguish from the real versions, but contain mostly drywall plaster or other inactive ingredients.
Dateline - Inside the world of counterfeit drugs.pdf 66.54 kB
Counterfeit Medicine
(KPBS-TV, Full Focus - June 2, 2006) Are your cholesterol medications real or counterfeit? Full Focus looks at the growing problem of counterfeit medicines. Guest: Dr. Bryan Liang, UCSD Center for Patient Safety.
Could Your Medication be Phony?
(CBS News - December 18, 2005) Could the medications you're taking be phony? In the last month U.S. Customs agents in San Francisco have seized over 50 boxes of fake Tamiflu. Susan Koeppen explains how to avoid getting scammed.
