New Jersey Legislature Works to Increase Penalties for Drug Counterfeiters

In June 2019, the New Jersey Assembly passed A-5037, a bill that increases penalties for those who create, distribute or administer counterfeit, adulterated or misbranded medical drugs and devices, Insider New Jersey reports.

A-5037 defines penalties for trafficking in counterfeit drugs according to volume, ranging from the sale of less than five units of a drug or device (punishable by an 18 month sentence, a fine of up to $10,000, or both) to more than 100 units (punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten years and/or a fine of up to $150,000).

The bill would require that pharmacists or health professionals who knowingly distribute counterfeit, adulterated or misbranded products have their licenses and controlled substances registrations revoked. Violators—a list of whom would be maintained by the state treasurer—would also be forbidden from conducting business with public entities in New Jersey.

The legislation was submitted to Jersey Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee on June 20. PSM supports this bill.