PSM's briefing speakers and family members of victims gather in front of the U.S. Capitol

PSM, Partners Host Fall 2019 Congressional Briefings About Counterfeit Drug Dangers

October 3, 2019

On September 24, 2019, the Partnership for Safe Medicines and 19 partner organizations held two congressional briefings about the real dangers counterfeit drugs pose to Americans, offering a clear picture of why importation cannot solve the problem of high drug prices in the U.S.:

Canada does not have enough prescription drugs to share with U.S.patients, and organized crime is poised to expand the counterfeit drug trade into the U.S. to bridge the gap without regard for the health and safety of U.S. residents. “The money to be made is far too great to worry about human life.”

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Ophthalmologist in Florida Investigated for Using Counterfeit Botox on Patients

October 2, 2019

A Coral Gables, Florida ophthalmologist at the Beautiful Vision Clinic is being investigated for importing counterfeit Botox from China to use on patients. On September 11, 2019, investigators raided the office of Dr. Francesann Ford and seized boxes of Botox that they allege are counterfeits imported from China.

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Two Studies Confirm Drug Importation Would Decimate The Canadian Drug Supply

September 27, 2019

Two new studies recently published in Canadian Health Policy each reached the same conclusion: legalizing drug importation in the U.S. would cause catastrophic damage to the Canadian drug supply…

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photo of the author, C. Michael White

Pharmacy professor: buying prescription drugs from Canada “risky in terms of quality and safety”

September 27, 2019

This editorial by C. Michael White was published in The Conversation on September 27, 2019. White is a professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice for the University of Connecticut.

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Partnership for Safe Medicines 2019 Congressional Briefings (September 24, 2019)

September 24, 2019

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, counterfeit medication victims and their families, American and Canadian patient groups, local and federal law enforcement, and other experts in the fight against counterfeit medicines gathered in Washington, D.C. to discuss how importation proposals threaten to trigger drug shortages in Canada while wreaking havoc on medication safety for U.S. patients.

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Deaths from Counterfeit Pills in Alaska, California, and Washington

September 23, 2019

Virtually every state in the Union has a serious problem with counterfeit pills made with fentanyl. During the month of September we have found reports of counterfeit pill deaths in Alaska, California, and Washington.

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Idaho Doctor Admits Putting Counterfeit Breast Implants from China in Nine Patients

September 19, 2019

A medical doctor in Burley, Idaho has pleaded guilty to charges he used illegally imported breast implants from China on nine patients in his care. Dr. Temp Ray Patterson has admitted in court that he misled his patients by telling them the breast implants were FDA-approved; when he knew for a fact they were not.

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Vitamin C liquid supplement Recalled due to Contamination with Prescription Drug Tadalafil

September 16, 2019

Fitoterapia USA Inc., is voluntarily recalling 19,000 bottles of MACHO ARTIFICIAL PASSION FRUIT FLAVORED VITAMIN C LIQUID SUPPLEMENT, liquid dietary supplement to the consumer level. FDA analysis has found the product to be tainted with Tadalafil.

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Former FDA Associate Commissioner Says Canada Cannot Be America’s Pharmacy

September 12, 2019

This editorial by Peter J. Pitts was published in The Washington Times on September 11, 2019. Mr. Pitts is president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and a former FDA associate commissioner.

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Utah’s Eagle Scout Turned Fake Pill Seller Convicted on Drug Distribution Charges

September 11, 2019

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that Aaron Michael Shamo, 29 has been found guilty by a jury of organizing and directing a drug trafficking organization that ordered imported fentanyl and alprazolam online from China and used the drugs to press fake oxycodone pills made with fentanyl and counterfeit Xanax tablets.

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