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| Weekly Update |
January 11, 2010 |
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| Checking the Facts on PharmacyChecker.com
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Cooperman and Levitt
claimed that "the online pharmacies that are verified by
PharmacyChecker.com are rigorously monitored for compliance with strict
standards," and that "leading search engines use these verifications
to qualify pharmacy advertisers and help protect consumers."
In a published response,
Dr. Liang and Mr. Mackey refuted Cooperman and Leavitt's assertions regarding
the article's "inaccuracies and omissions," as well as their claims
regarding PharmacyChercker.com verification and search engine monitoring,
noting that:
- PharmacyChecker.com has provided verification for
online drug sellers engaged in actions directly in violation of its own
purported requirements.
- PharmacyChecker.com-verified sites are linked to
additional, related unlawful activities, including selling narcotics
without a prescription.
- One PharmacyChecker.com-verified online drug seller,
Pharmnet.com, was investigated by CNN, which found the site was simply
selling controlled substances without a prescription, and was shipping
drugs to all 50 states despite having only a Texas pharmacy license in violation of
virtually all state drug dispensing laws.
- Recent investigations of Yahoo and Microsoft's online
drug advertising found that 80-90 percent of reviewed ads from drug
sellers did not require a prescription or were acting unlawfully,
verifying Liang and Mackey's observations, and contradicting Cooperman and
Levitt's claim about PharmacyChecker's "rigorous monitoring" of
search engine online drug sellers.
The PSM stands by Dr. Liang
and Mr. Mackey as well as the accuracy and legitimacy of their paper.
Furthermore, our colleagues should be commended for encouraging collaboration
on these critical issues rather than combativeness.
Read the full letters [PDF] in
Vol. 35 No. 4 of the American Journal of
Law & Medicine.
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Top News
FDA
Warns that Rogue Online Pharmacies are Extorting Customers
Despite the
risks involved, many people have turned to online pharmacies for cheaper drugs
which are often substandard or counterfeit. Now some criminals are posing as
FDA agents and threatening those who ordered fake medicine with legal action
unless fines are paid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an
advisory people who have purchased medicines online or over the phone are often
called by a person claiming to be an FDA agent. "Impersonating an FDA
official is a violation of federal law," said Michael Chappell, the FDA's
acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. "The public should
note that no FDA official will ever contact a consumer by phone demanding money
or any other form of payment." FDA agents and other law enforcement
officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. ("FDA Issues Warning Over Online Pharmacy Extortion Scam," The Tech Herald, January
4, 2010; Story
here)
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World News
United States: Counterfeit Drugs get More Elusive
According
to researchers, drug counterfeiters are using new tactics to sell more
counterfeit drugs. They are using holograms and other security features to make
their packaging look authentic and their products seem genuine. Counterfeit
drugs may also contain active ingredients which fool patients into thinking
that the drugs are effective. Unfortunately they may also contain harmful, even
toxic ingredients which have proven deadly to some patients. Drug manufacturers
are responding with new security approaches but these may also be mimicked in
the future. ("Fake Drugs Getting More Sophisticated," United Press
International, January 7, 2010; Story
here)
UK: MHRA Seeks to Punish Drugs
Counterfeiters
The
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is looking into
implementing prison sentences to combat fake online pharmacies and others
selling counterfeit drugs. Convicted individuals could face a penalty of 10-12
years in prison if found guilty. According to an MHRA spokesperson, "A lot of
counterfeit drugs come from the internet and we will take action against those
sites." The agency believes 50-90% of medicines bought without a prescription,
or via unregulated websites, are counterfeit. ("MHRA Seeks Prison for Fake Drug Peddlers," E-Health Insider, January 7, 2010; Story
here)
United States: Drug Reimportation Carries With it
a Variety of Risks
Despite the
lure of cheaper prices, drug reimportation carries with it substantial risks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reasserted last month imported and
reimported drugs can't be guaranteed to be safe. According to studies, a
significant percentage of drugs thought to be American-made and reimported are
actually counterfeit. For example, in one sting in 2003, FDA and Customs
officials found that 88% of the imported drug packages they inspected did not
meet federal safety standards. Furthermore, reimporting American-made could
have a damaging effect on industry and development. ("Why Drug 'Reimportation'
Won't Die," The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2010; Story
here)
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About the Partnership for Safe Medicines
The Partnership for Safe Medicines is a group of organizations and individuals that have policies, procedures, or programs to protect consumers from counterfeit or contraband medicines. For more information, please visit SafeMedicines.org.
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