Weekly Top News Update, 31 March 2006
Counterfeit Medicines Part of Major U.S. Arrest of Suspected Hezbollah Financers
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney for Eastern Michigan unsealed an indictment against 19 individuals in connection with a multi-national operation involving counterfeit Attorney’s office, proceeds from the counterfeit sales went to Hezbollah, an organization on the State Department’s list of terrorist organizations. See Documents Section.
U.K. Pharmacists to Establish Online Pharmacy List
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) announced this week that it is planning to create a logo for legitimate online pharmacies that are licensed to dispense medications in the U.K. The logo will point a websurfer back to the RPSGB’s index of licensed pharmacies. The logo should be up within a month, according to David Pruce, director of Practice and Quality Improvement. ("Work pressures top RPSGB’s practice agenda," Chemist and Druggist, 25 March 2006) and story here.
European Commission Warns About Illicit Sales of Unapproved New Medicine
On Monday, the European Commission issued an alert about sales of rimonabant, a medicine expected to be sold under the brand name "Acomplia." If EMEA regulatory review is successful, the medicine potentially could serve patients as a smoking-cessation and weight loss medication. The EC warning, however, indicated that it was already for sale online illicitly. In a statement, the EC Vice-President Gunter Verheugen warned that this is the most recent incident in a steady increase of fake medicines in illicit supply chains over the last five years. (See Documents Section below).
First Guilty Verdict in Large Counterfeit/Diversion Network
On Monday, a jury in Broward County, FL convicted Thomas Martino, operator of a wholesale drug distribution company that transferred illegally-sold medicines from Florida through Nevada and Utah to the rest of the country. According to prosecutors, Martino ran a company called Optia Medical that produced fraudulent documentation for tens of millions of cancer and AIDS medicines that were either counterfeit or diverted. Although jurors dismissed racketeering and conspiracy charges, they handed down a verdict against Martino for organized fraud (up to 30 years in prison) and illegally buying and selling prescription drugs (six counts, potentially five years in jail for each). Sentencing in Broward Circuit Court is set for May 19. Martino is one of 19 wholesalers associated with Michael Carlow, who goes to trial September 5. Story here.
World Update
Canada
Health Canada this week issued a consumer warning about fraudulent influenza products. This warning follows a similar one from FDA relating to unapproved medicines sold via internet providers. According to a Health Canada press release, "There are currently no products authorized for sale in Canada that are indicated specifically for the treatment of avian flu." The agency also warned against purchasing anti-biotics, which would be ineffective, or purchasing "generic" Tamiflu, since no authorized generic version exists. Canadian consumers with complaints about web-based products can call: 1-800-267-9675. (See Documents section).
Finland
Finnish customs officials are dealing with an array of counterfeit and contraband pharmaceutical products, according to the Helsingin Sanomat. Last year, 379 pharmaceutical-based crimes were tallied at Helsinki Airport alone, and already 65 have appeared in the first two months of 2006. Officials are finding most fake or unauthorized products coming from India or Thailand. Internet-based sales in Finnish are facilitating the illegal trade. Story here.
India
A new report out by ExpressPharma Online of Mumbai argues that the Indian medicines industry is not ready for RFID. The study’s author recommended instead that industry and health professionals design education campaigns for physicians and pharmacists to improve detection and reporting. ("India widens options against fake drugs," Pharma Marketletter, 27 March 2006).
Nigeria
The Nigerian drug regulatory authority NAFDAC has arrested four men attempting to steal N1 million worth of counterfeit medicines from a government site used for destruction of counterfeits. Story here.
United States
The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that a permanent injunction had been issued against Canada Care Drugs, Inc. to prevent the business from [selling?] prescription medicines. The injunction came form U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. See Documents Section.