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.
Counterfeit sales rising
(Sun-Sentinel - July 15, 2007) Contrary to what advocates of importation declare, simply mandating safety by legislative fiat will not make imported drugs safer. Even obtaining drugs from nations like Britain and France offers little protection, because chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods move freely among the 27 European Union member states. Because the E.U. does not require drug importers to record such information as batch numbers, it's quite common for goods to travel outside official distribution channels.
Sun-Sentinel - Counterfeit sales rising.pdf 16.17 kB
Haiti to crack down on counterfeit medicines
(International Herald Tribune - July 9, 2007) Health officials announced a crackdown on the counterfeit medicine trade in the capital, where street vendors by the hundreds sell unmarked antibiotics and cold medications out of buckets and plastic bags. In 1995, nearly 90 children died in Haiti after they ingested a cheap cough syrup laced with a chemical used in antifreeze.
INT Herald Tribune - Haiti cracks down on counterfeit meds.pdf 10.78 kB
Phony products plague consumers
(Toronto Star - July 9, 2007) Counterfeit products have turned into a global industry worth billions of dollars that is seeing dangerous goods flow through our borders every day, largely from China. Among other products, there have been instances of fake pharmaceuticals getting mixed into the supplies of regular pharmacies. Counterfeit medicines can contain an incorrect dose, the wrong ingredients, dangerous additives or no active ingredients at all, which can lead to serious health risks and even death.
Toronto Star - Phony products plague consumers.pdf 15.57 kB
The Toxic Toll of Press Repression
(Wall Street Journal - July 9, 2007) The discovery of toxic ingredients in toothpaste, seafood, cough syrup and toys has raised questions about the safety of China's exports. These threats -- and the risk they pose to consumers -- could have been uncovered much earlier had the Chinese government used its best weapon: its own domestic press.
Wall Street Journal - Toxic toll of press repression.pdf 15.59 kB
Coroner's inquest highlights dangers of medications ordered online
(CBC News - July 6, 2007) A B.C. woman's death last year from metal toxicity underlines the dangers of buying medications through the internet, says the regional coroner for Vancouver Island. The toxins came from counterfeit medicines Bergeron had ordered online. Coroner Rose Stanton warns that the practice of buying cheap drugs online is increasing and that there are very few safeguards for consumers.
CBC NEWS - Coroner's inquest highlights dangers of online drugs.pdf 12.21 kB
Tainted Chinese medicine kills 83 in Panama
(Toronto Star - July 5, 2007) Eighty-three people have died in Panama after taking medicines contaminated with a Chinese-made toxin last year and the death toll is expected to rise. 540 people are suspected of falling sick after using cough syrup or one of three other medicines contaminated with diethylene glycol, a substance normally used in anti-freeze. A special prosecutor is investigating how the medicines became adulterated.
Toronto Star - Tainted medicine kills 83.pdf 13.94 kB
Dubai customs confiscate counterfeit medicine worth aed 5 million
(Al Bawaba - July 3, 2007) Dubai Customs announced that it succeeded in seizing huge amount of counterfeit medicinal drugs worth Dhs5 million. This new success for Dubai Customs accompanied the launch of its Intellectual Property Rights campaign which will culminate in the 4th Global Congress for Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy to be held in Dubai from the 4th to the 6th of February 2008.
AL BAWABA - Dubai customs confiscate counterfeit medicine.pdf 14.36 kB
Poisionous trail leads right back to China
(Taipei Times - July 2, 2007) Blatant disregard of intellectual property rights is rampant in China. Counterfeit medicine and food stuffs are produced and sold under the eyes of Chinese Communist Party officials.
Taipei Times - Poisonous Trail leads back to China.pdf 74.40 kB
