image of hocky referree on red background. text is "Canada Says No"

Counterfeit Medicine News for the Weeks of November 23 and 30, 2020

December 8, 2020

In PSM’s round-up this week: Canada banned exporting drugs to the U.S. if it will cause drug shortages at home, the FTC warns about fake COVID-19 testing centers, several large counterfeit pill busts, and more.

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New Mexico public hearing on Canadian Drug Importation (Dec. 2, 2020)

December 3, 2020

On Tuesday, December 2, 2020, New Mexico conducted their one and only public hearing on their plan to import medicine from Canada (over Canada’s objections). While the hearing was largely a formality, there was some interesting testimony.

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How Federal Agents Caught Two Ukrainian Drug Counterfeiters

December 2, 2020

Would you fly 6,000 miles to meet with a stranger who could be your new literal partner in crime? In April 2019, two Ukrainians did just that. While they dreamed of getting their counterfeit medicines into the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain, that dream was thwarted by the hard work and perseverance of federal investigators in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

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Map of Maine with a pill bottle displaying a maple leaf. As it peels away, the label shows a poison symbol

Maine’s Medicaid program analysis shows the truth: importing medicine from Canada would cost more, not less.

December 1, 2020

In an analysis of 50 prospective drugs, Maine’s Medicaid program found that it would lose nearly a million additional dollars ($927,983.28, to be exact) importing these drugs from Canada. How can this be? For many reasons, Canada is not the land of cheap drugs people think it is.

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Statement on Litigation Challenging Legality of Administration’s Final Rule Permitting State-Sponsored Drug Importation From Canada

November 23, 2020

Today, PhRMA, The Partnership for Safe Medicines and Council for Affordable Health Coverage initiated litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging action by HHS and FDA permitting pharmacists and wholesalers, pursuant to state-sponsored programs, to import certain prescription drugs from Canada into the United States without drug manufacturers’ authorization or oversight.

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yellow pills in a clear plastic bag

Counterfeit Medicine News for the Week of November 16, 2020

November 23, 2020

In PSM’s round-up this week: Government authorities take legal action against COVID scammers; an insurance broker (allegedly) decided to open his own unlicensed pharmacy; ongoing counterfeit medicine news, and more.

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Counterfeit Medicine News for the Week of November 9, 2020

November 16, 2020

In PSM’s round-up this week: An analysis of New Mexico’s draft drug importation plan, reports on COVID-19 fraud, and this week in counterfeit medicine news.

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An Analysis Of New Mexico’s Draft Canadian Drug Importation Plan

November 12, 2020

The state of New Mexico released a draft of its Canadian drug importation plan. PSM analyzed the plan, paying particular attention to concerns pharmacists might have about how drug importation might affect their patients and business…

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product promotional image with a warning symbox over it

Counterfeit Medicine News for the Week of November 2, 2020

November 9, 2020

In PSM’s round-up this week: FDA and FTC warnings over fake COVID-19 treatments and fraud, as well as fake medicine news in seven U.S. states, Canada and Cambodia.

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Young man in a black shirt in a green outdoor setting

Jake Beddoe Sheltered from COVID-19, Only to Die from Fake Xanax

November 6, 2020

Seeking a good night’s sleep, 25-year-old Jake Beddoe, a young travel consultant with an adventurous heart and a tremendous sense of humor, took part of what he thought was a Xanax pill on May 27, 2020. The pill was counterfeit, and Jake died of fentanyl poisoning.

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