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In January 2009, Pfizer in the UK produced a pretty commercial to get people to pay attention to the dangers of counterfeit drugs. Visit their website at RealDanger.co.uk or click on the still image at right to see the video.
Read MoreView Larger Map What: A 2004 study published in the Journal of Tropical Medicine and International Health found that an “alarmingly high proportion of antimalarial drugs bought in pharmacies and shops in Southeast Asia are counterfeit,” impeding treatment of malaria across the region. Who: Pharmacies selling antimalarial drugs across Southeast Asia (SE Asia); counterfeit copies of drugs produced by Guilin…
Read MorePart 1: Your critical role in safe medicines — In recent blog entries, the Partnership for Safe Medicines’ (PSM) experts have warned consumers and pharmacists of the dangers that counterfeit drugs pose, recapped legislation surrounding these issues and highlighting incidents of counterfeit drugs from across the world. However, this month we have invited guest blogger Gregory Zec to share his thoughts on some current drug safety issues. This week, Gregory uses a fictional consumer’s experiences (which he based on real patients’ stories) to explore the confusion many patients encounter from when they receive repackaged, imported prescription drugs from a legitimate pharmacy.
Read MorePeriodically proposals are floated both in Washington, DC and state capitols that would allow Americans to import drugs from 32 “permitted” countries – Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the 27 members of the European Union. There is a perception that these countries have “safe” drug supplies insulated from the dangers that every other nation in the world.
Read MoreHealth Care Inspectorate Warns of Counterfeit Insulin Needles Products counterfeited: Insulin needles Lot numbers: 08J02S Countries known affected: Netherlands, UK, Poland Investigating agency contact: Inspectie Voor de Gezondheidszorg Manufacturers information: Novo Nordisk Posted on/updated: July 2009 View Larger Map The Netherlands Health Care Inspectorate [Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg (IGZ)] has issued a public warning following the discovery of counterfeit needles…
Read MoreOn June 4, Rep. Steve J. Israel (D-NY) introduced the Counterfeit Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2726). This proposed legislation, which would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, increases penalties for the sale of contraband or counterfeit drugs. If passed, this legislation brings to life many of the ideas that the Partnership for Safe Medicines advocates in the Principles for Drug Safety.
Read MorePosted June 22, 2009 Nationwide Recalls of Dietary Supplement Stamina-Rx Unapproved Ingredient Present in Supplement Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals notified patients and healthcare professionals of a nationwide recall of all products sold under the name Stamina-Rx. FDA lab analysis found that the product contained the undeclared ingredient − benzamidenafil. Benzamidenafil is in the same therapeutic class…
Read MoreDuring the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases involving counterfeit medicines in developing and developed countries. Particularly, artesunate-based antimalarial drugs have been targeted, because of their high demand and cost. Counterfeit antimalarials can cause death and can contribute to the growing problem of drug resistance, particularly in southeast Asia. In this study,…
Read MoreEarlier this year, Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI 15), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ 06) and Bart Stupak (D-MI 01) introduced the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 (H.R.759). This legislation indicates that Congress is fbeginning an important journey to address several real threats that substandard and counterfeit drugs pose to the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Read MoreNovo Nordisk product previously reported as stolen in North Carolina has resurfaced recently at a medical center in Houston. Originally posted June 16, 2009 FDA notified patients and healthcare professionals that some stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc. are being sold in the U.S. market, may not have been stored and handled properly, and…
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