Partnership for Safe Medicines Releases Anti-Counterfeit Public Service Announcement with ADAP Advocacy Association
Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2022) – The Partnership for Safe Medicines has teamed up with the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) to educate people living with HIV on ways they can protect themselves against potential counterfeit medications. The public education campaign features aaa+ CEO and 20-year HIV survivor Brandon M. Macsata, who shares specific, practical steps patients can take to avoid and recognize counterfeit medicines. aaa+ promotes and enhances the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) with the aim of improving access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Over the past two years, more than 85,000 bottles of tampered and counterfeit versions of several daily HIV therapies were identified in the United States, reminding the HIV community of the ongoing threat from adulterated medications. According to NAM/AIDSmap, people living with HIV can achieve a normal lifespan – assuming early diagnosis, access to timely care and treatment, and good treatment adherence. Counterfeit medicines, which might have no active ingredient, too little active ingredient, or harmful ingredients, present significant risks to patients’ health.
“As a long-term survivor and someone living with HIV, I know how important it is to be on the lookout for potential counterfeits,” said Macsata. “I strive to advocate for myself and everyone living with this disease so that our community can have access to the latest information and resources that help us stay safe and healthy.”
Patients are the last line of defense against potentially dangerous fake medicines, which can be difficult to detect. PSM, a public health group made up of more than 45 non-profit organizations, is committed to the safety of prescription drugs and protecting consumers against counterfeit, substandard or otherwise unsafe medicines. PSM has created valuable resources to educate the public about the risks of counterfeits and tracks counterfeit news across the United States.
“It’s crucial that we take steps to combat counterfeit medicines at every level – from patients watching out for their own health to public policy efforts that will address the root cause of the problem,” said Shabbir Imber Safdar, Executive Director of PSM. “PSM has been working for years to protect public health by raising awareness of and urging action on this issue. The scale of the problem demands constant effort to keep people in the know about the potential dangers of fake drugs.”
About the Partnership for Safe Medicines
The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) is a public health group comprised of non-profit organizations that handle medicine from the factory floor to the patient and are committed to the safety of prescription drugs. To learn more, visit www.safemedicines.org.
About the ADAP Advocacy Association
The ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+®) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia to promote and enhance the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. aaa+® works with advocates, community, health care, government, patients, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to raise awareness, offer patient educational programs, and foster greater community collaboration.
About the PSA
The PSA was created by Josh Robbins of Brandagement LLC.