Gov. Rod Blagojevich's prescription drug import program has a lot of problems to overcome. First, his I-SaveRx program, which uses a Canada-based clearinghouse to import drugs from Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, has had a difficult time attracting participants. Pantagraph Editorial Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Read the full story at pantagraph.com.

Lagos, March 21: The Nigerian government has blacklisted a dozen Indian and Pakistani companies allegedly in connection with the dumping of fake drugs in the west African country, reports Xinhua. Read the full story at planetguru.com.

Paris, France (PRWEB) March 21, 2005 — Participants at the Second Global Forum on Pharmaceutical Anticounterfeiting in Paris demand increased cooperation at all levels and a framework convention to fight counterfeiting of medicines. Combating counterfeit drugs requires the involvement of all parties in the healthcare and pharmaceutical delivery system, placing the onus on manufacturers, all supply chain stakeholders, patients and…

pharmacies through a friend who has tried to place orders for medicines through them. Could you please tell me what their legal status is? Are they safe to order medicines from? PAVAN DUGGAL SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2005 Read the full story at indiatimes.com.

ST. PAUL – Minnesota, the first state to operate a Web site that helps residents import cheaper medications from Canada, plans to expand the program to include British mail-order pharmacies, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday. Associated Press March 20, 2005 Read the full story at billingsgazette.com.

World Health Organisation officials have called for an international treaty to help combat counterfeiting of medicines, a practice rampant in the developing world that is also on the rise in rich nations as a result of illegal internet sales. Published: March 19 2005 02:00 By Frances Williams Read the full story at news.ft.com.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt discussed prescription drug imports with Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh in their first meeting since Mr. Leavitt was appointed. By Marguerite Higgins, THE WASHINGTON TIMES March 18, 2005 Read the full story at washingtontimes.com.

WASHINGTON — Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he isn't getting heat from U.S. officials to stop the flow of prescription drugs from Canada. Dosanjh, who met U.S. Health Secretary Michael Leavitt yesterday, said he outlined the options Canada is considering, including a ban on Internet pharmacies. Fri, March 18, 2005 Read the full story at canoe.ca.