News
October 30, 2023: More contaminated eye drops found on retail shelves
FDA warned about contamination in 26 different over-the-counter eye drops. Ten New York residents were indicted in another black market HIV medicine scheme. Additional stories in California, Florida, and Texas.
[...]FDA Alert: Pain Relief Dietary Supplements Recalled Due to Presence of Diclofenac
Risk Statement: Consumption of undeclared diclofenac could result in serious adverse events that include cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and anaphylaxis in patients taking concomitant NSAIDs and/or anticoagulants, such as Warfarin, in those who have allergies to diclofenac, or those with underlying cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic illnesses.
[...]Decision on Florida’s importation program delayed
A delay in Florida’s response to FDA questions means the agency’s decision won’t be by October 31 after all.
[...]October 23, 2023: Even drugs in development are at risk for counterfeiting
Sketchy online vendors are selling “retatrutide” even though it’s still in clinical trials. A man who sold U.S. pharmacies secondhand prescription medicines was sentenced. Domestic and international stories about fake drugs.
[...]October 16, 2023: More fake Ozempic appears in the EU
Almost 200 packages of fake Ozempic traveled from Austria to the U.K. via Germany. An 11th man was sentenced in a $52mm cough medicine counterfeiting scheme. Europol reports the seizure of medical products. Additional news about pill presses in Mexico and the U.S.
[...]October 9, 2023: Florida conmen who sold industrial bleach as a COVID cure sentenced to federal prison
The leaders of the “Genesis II Church of Health and Healing” received a cumulative 34 years in prison. A NYC pharmacist pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering after selling black market HIV drugs. Pill press operations busted in NYC and Rhode Island.
[...]October 2, 2023: After deaths overseas, the FDA is working to protect Americans from toxic cough syrup.
The FDA is cracking down on lax safety testing of raw drug ingredients. Major players in HIV drug and cough syrup counterfeiting schemes pleaded guilty in federal court.
Counterfeit Avastin in Pakistan blinded over 70 retinopathy patients.
CBP at JFK Airport intercepted 14 pairs of pill press dies. Additional news about illicit pill presses in five states.
[...]PSM Executive Director to Speak at USPTO Roundtable on Counterfeits
Shabbir Imber Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, will participate in the upcoming United States Patent and Trademark Office Roundtable: Future strategies in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy.
[...]September 18, 2023: USFDA concerned that eight companies, including two pharmacies, are illegally marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products
USFDA is concerned that eight companies, including two pharmacies, are illegally marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products that pose a heightened risk to users. Counterfeit pills make the DHS’ threat assessment list for 2024.
[...]PSM and ADAP Advocacy call for more awareness about counterfeit medicines
Data recently shared in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlights a growing problem: Counterfeit pill availability is rising in the drug supply chain, but also the illicit drug market.
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