Incident Encyclopedia
Counterfeit Medicine Found in German Pharmacies
View larger map Dozens of German pharmacies in the north of the country are under investigation for suspected distribution of counterfeit medication. Pharmacists from Brauschweig, Hamburg, Celle, Verden and Kiel are being investigated. Who: German officials When: August 12, 2010 Where: Brauschweig, Hamburg, Celle, Verden and Kiel How: Counterfeit drugs are suspected of being available…
[...]Philadelphia Resident Admits Selling Over-The-Counter Counterfeit Drugs Containing Carcinogenic Solvents
View larger map A Philadelphia resident pleaded guilty to an 18 count indictment for the illegal importation and distribution of four million fake diet pills that contained unapproved drugs and carcinogens. The pills "caused significant side effects in some individuals, including nausea, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes." Who: Food and Drug Administration…
[...]$12M in Counterfeit Drugs Seized in Southeast Asia
View larger map An international police operation led to the seizure of $20M in counterfeit and illegal medicines, including antibiotics, anitimalarials, contraceptives, anti-tetanus vaccines, aspirin and drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. An estimated $12M were counterfeits with the remaining $8M found to be drugs that were “expired, diverted or unregistered.” Who: Medical Products Counterfeiting and…
[...]Mapping the World of Counterfeits
Marv D. Shepherd, PhD From intellectual property violations to grave health risks, the Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) brings you the facts and figures regarding the harmful effects of counterfeit drugs. One of our most popular tools: the interactive map of counterfeit drug incidents. As a PSM member, the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) understands the…
[...]Medical Sales Representative Caught Selling Fake Flu Vaccines
View larger map What: The National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines caught a former medical sales representative selling fake Vaxigrip – a flu vaccine – throughout the country. When: July 28, 2009 Where: The Philippines, including the cities of Manila and Makati, as well as the Laguna province. Who: Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi-Aventis Group Additional…
[...]2 Million Counterfeit Needles Found in Europe
View larger map What: More than two million counterfeit insulin needles were found in established European distribution channels. When: July 1, 2009 Where: Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom How: A Dutch company purchased insulin needles from a wholesaler in Malaysia, which claimed the needles came from Iran. The needles were subsequently distributed throughout the…
[...]Counterfeit Heparin Blamed for Worldwide Deaths
View larger map What: Counterfeit heparin has been linked to the deaths of 81 people and resulted in hundreds of allergic reactions in the United States. Batches of contaminated heparin were also detected in 11 other countries – resulting in as many as 68 more deaths. Reports issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration…
[...]Counterfeit ‘Lifestyle’ Drugs Uncovered in Indonesia
Counterfeit ‘Lifestyle’ Drugs Uncovered in Indonesia View Larger Map What: Counterfeit drugs, including antibiotics, contraceptives and blood pressure medications were seized in Indonesia. Counterfeit lifestyle drugs including whitening creams and erectile dysfunction medications were also found. When: March 17, 2009 Where: Towns across the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. Additional details: The Jakarta…
[...]Southern California Oncologist Convicted in Cancer Drug Importation Scheme
In May 2009, Dr. Vinod Patwardhan, an oncologist working in Upland and Chino, California, was found guilty by a jury of smuggling foreign, misbranded cancer drugs into the United States and administering them to his patients. Between 2004 and 2008, Patwardhan purchased $1.3 million worth of injectable cancer drugs from foreign sources. He and his…
[...]Temple University Graduate Student Sentenced to 30 Years After Supplying Imported Drugs to Rogue Online Pharmacies
In December 2007, Akhil Bansal, an Indian physician and a graduate student at Temple University in Philadelphia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release and a forfeiture of $250,000 after being convicted of 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 1 count of continuing criminal enterprise, 2 counts of…
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