News
November 20, 2023: China takes steps to disrupt pill press and precursor exports
China agreed to cooperate with the U.S. in stopping pill press and precursor sales. An Indian company launched a U.S. recall of contaminated eye drops. Counterfeit medicine news overseas and in the U.S.
[...]PSM files a supplement to citizen petition opposing Florida’s importation proposal
In September, the Partnership for Safe Medicines and others filed a supplement to our 2021 Citizen’s Petition asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services not to authorize Florida’s Canadian Drug Importation Plan.
[...]November 13, 2023: FDA reporting system shows American injuries from fake Ozempic
As of September 2023, at least 3 Americans have been hospitalized because of fake semaglutide products. The Treasury Department sanctioned more people and businesses it says are trafficking fentanyl into the U.S. More news in the EU, Nigeria and three U.S. states.
[...]Cooper Davis Act (S.1080) to have minimal fiscal impact.
For those following the Cooper Davis Act (S.1080) which would require social media platforms to report drug dealing when they discover it, the Congressional Budget Office has analyzed the legislation and said it will “not significantly increase net direct spending” and “not increase on-budget deficits”.
[...]November 6, 2023: Operation Pangea XVI intercepts $7mm in illicit medicines
Interpol announced the results of Operation Pangea and U.S. CBP reported on pill press seizures. News about counterfeit medicine in the U.S, Belgium, China, and Indonesia,
[...]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.
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