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Weekly Update | August 24, 2010 |
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FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Stolen Advair Inhalers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
issued a warning that a number of Advair Diskus inhalers that were stolen in
2009 have been found in some pharmacies and that consumers should not used the
stolen products.
The products were reported stolen from a GlaxoSmithKline warehouse near
Richmond, Virginia, in August 2009. These recently discovered inhalers were the
first that surfaced from the theft but the FDA is still warning consumers that more of the
stolen products may appear in the marketplace. |
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Advair Diskus, generically known as fluticasone
propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder, is used to treat those who suffer from
asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
There are a number of risks associated with the use of stolen pharmaceutical
products. They may have been stored at incorrect temperatures and humidity
levels. Improper storage conditions can degrade medications or cause them to
lose potency. In addition, stolen drugs may have been tampered with and may be
contaminated.
There were two lots stolen, totalling 25,600 Advair Diskus inhalers. The lot
numbers of the stolen produces are 9ZP2255 - NDC 0173-0696-00 and 9ZP3325 - NDC
0173-0697-00. Patients who have products with these lot numbers should
immediately stop using them, contact GlaxoSmithKline's Customer Response Center
at 888-825-5249, and follow-up with their physician or pharmacist to obtain a proper
replacement. |
Top News
Vatican Spokesperson
Speaks Out Against Counterfeit Drugs Agenzia Fides, the missionary press agency of the
Vatican, has spoken out against counterfeit
drugs and the
approximated 700,000 people expected to die annually due to their pervasiveness.
Fake tuberculosis and malaria drugs alone are estimated to kill 700,000
people a year. A large part of these victims are African. Agenzia Fides stated,
"The development of germs resistant to antibiotics and other treatments is a
problem that affects all humanity, not just Africans. It is therefore in the
best interest of all concerned that smuggling of counterfeit drugs be fought
against." ("Vatican Denounces Drug Counterfeiters," Partnership for Safe
Medicines," August 19, 2010; Link
here) |
World News
EU: Researchers
Find Counterfeit Versions of Discontinued Drugs Online Researchers
in Poland and Holland recently revealed that counterfeit varieties of the anti-obesity
drug, Acomplia, are available over the internet. Acomplia, generically known as
rimonabant, was pulled from the market in 2008 but can still be obtained
online, according to SecuringPharma.com. The European researchers conducted
testing of the counterfeit drugs and found that while many of the pills had
effective levels of rimonabant, there were a number of other impurities
including unapproved ingredients. ("European Researchers Find Counterfeit Drugs
Online," Partnership for Safe Medicines, August 23, 2010; Link
here) China:
Officials List 33 Counterfeit Drugs to Aid Law Enforcement China's
State Food and Drug Administration recently provided names of 33 fake medicinal
products to help provincial and national authorities investigate drug counterfeiting
activities, reports Securing Pharma. The fakes carry falsified trademarks of
Chinese drug manufacturers, as well as some other major drug manufacturers
including Pfizer. They include drugs to treat diabetes, respiratory conditions,
cardiovascular disease, gout, arthritis and central nervous system disorders. ("China
lists names of 33 fake meds," Fierce Pharma, August 18, 2010; Link
here) India:
Drug Courier Arrested for Transporting Counterfeit Drugs Police in
India recently arrested a man in possession of counterfeit drugs. Dharmender
Singh was arrested at the Kidwai Nagar bus stand for allegedly dealing in
counterfeit drugs, according to the Asian Age. The police say that Singh had a
number of drugs that were marked with counterfeit labels of two famous
pharmaceutical companies. Singh's story is an example of the new way that
counterfeit drugs are being distributed, according to Indian police. Instead of
moving the fake medicines in large, bulk shipments, counterfeit drug dealers
are now relying on individual couriers to push the phony goods, reports the
news source. ("Indian Cops Nab Counterfeit Drug Courier," Partnership for
Safe Medicines, August 18, 2010; Link
here)
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Events
Anti-counterfeiting Americas (Boston, USA)
When: Wednesday, Sep 8, 2010
Where: Boston, USA
PSM's Inaugural 2010 Interchange When: Friday, Oct 8, 2010 Where: Washington, D.C.The Partnership for Safe Medicines invites you to save the date for an intimate conference bringing together patient groups, providers, pharmaceutical company quality experts, enforcement personnel, policymakers, regulatory agency experts and other interested parties to discuss key issues around counterfeit drugs and other unsafe medicines. Register by August 1st to take advantage of reduced registration fees.
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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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