Counterfeit Drugs In the News

New Report Warns 14 Types of Counterfeit Artesunate are Circulating in SE Asia

The Wellcome Trust recently updated its report on counterfeit Artesunate, an anti-malarial medicine made by Guilin Pharma. Although Artesunate bears a hologram for security, multiple counterfeit forms of this hologram have been discovered and identified. According to the report’s author:

“Although, regrettably, the counterfeiters have targeted the ‘Guilin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd’ product, it is possible that other fake artesunate products exist in Asia, as have been described in Africa. Therefore, drug regulatory authorities should be vigilant and regularly monitor the quality of artesunate available on
the market. If you are uncertain as the authenticity of any artesunate sample based on the characteristics of the packaging, please check by chemical analysis of the tablet (eg see http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/test.htm).”

Read the July 2006 update to learn about the problem and how to spot the fakes. Click here for the update.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Warns About Dangers of Internet and Illicit Supply Chain

On July 11, ICE put out a new fact sheet: “ICE Efforts to Combat Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals.” Among the major findings: “… in recent years, the internet has become the primary tool for criminal organizations to advertise, communicate and conduct sales of counterfeit pharmaceuticals..”

“To date, ICE investigations have not revealed any instances in which smuggled counterfeit pharmaceuticals were intended for the legitimate U.S. supply chain. Instead, trafficking organizations have created an illicit, unregulated supply chain of counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded, and unsafe drugs that are distributed directly to consumers in the United States and elsewhere.” Click on the logo to learn more.