FRAUDULENT MEDICINES - TRAFFICKING +
Fraudulent medicines pose a considerable
public health threat as they can fail to cure, may harm and even kill
patients. These threats to public health have led the international
community to call for a stronger and more coordinated response.
Compounding this public health risk is the fact that the supply chain
for medicines operates at a global level, and therefore, a concerted
effort at the international level is required to effectively detect and
combat the introduction of fraudulent medicines along this supply chain.
The 20th session of the Commission on
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) adopted resolution 20/6 on
fraudulent medicines, otherwise referred to as falsified medicines due
to concern about the involvement of organized crime in the trafficking
in fraudulent medicines. At the same time, resolution 20/6 highlights
the potential utility of the United Nations Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) for which UNODC is the guardian,
in re-enforcing international cooperation in the fight against
trafficking, through, its provisions, inter alia, on mutual
legal assistance, extradition and the seizing, freezing and forfeiture
of the instrumentalities and proceeds of crime.
As with other forms of crime, criminal
groups use, to their advantage, gaps in legal and regulatory frameworks,
weaknesses in capacity and the lack of resources of regulatory,
enforcement and criminal justice officials, as well as difficulties in
international cooperation. At the same time, the prospect of the
comparatively low risk of detection and prosecution in relation to the
potential income make the production and trafficking in fraudulent
medicines an attractive commodity to criminal groups, who conduct their
activities with little regard to the physical and financial detriment,
if not the exploitation, of others.
Resolution 20/6 contains nine action
points among which paragraph nine requests that UNODC, in cooperation
with other United Nations bodies and international organizations, such
as the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the World Health
Organization (WHO), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the
International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO/INTERPOL), as well as
relevant regional organizations and mechanisms, national regulatory
agencies for medicines and, where appropriate, the private sector, civil
society organizations and professional associations, assist Member
States in building capacity to disrupt and dismantle the organized
criminal networks engaged in all stages of the illicit supply chain, in
particular distribution and trafficking, to better utilize the
experiences, technical expertise and resources of each organization and
to create synergies with interested partners.
While focus has been given to the health
and regulatory aspect of this problem, it appears that less attention
has been given to the issue from a criminal justice perspective. Given
its expertise and work to build effective and transparent criminal
justice systems and to support states to prevent and combat all forms of
organized crime, UNODC can support the fight against the illicit
manufacture and trafficking of fraudulent medicines in coordination with
other stakeholders.
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COUNTERFEIT DRUGS
Consumers have lots of choices in buying prescription drugs these
days. But as you search for the best price or most convenience, be
careful about the source of your medications. Counterfeit drugs are on
the rise, so you need to be vigilant about the quality and integrity of
the drugs you buy. You might throw your money away on ineffective drugs,
or even worse, you could be harmed by taking drugs that aren’t what
they pretend to be.Learn more to protect yourself and your loved ones
from the dangers of counterfeit drugs.
- Know your medications. If you know the size, shape, color, taste, and side effects of the prescriptions you take, you will more easily identify possible counterfeits. Contact your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything different about a medication.
- Pay attention to packaging. Check for altered or unsealed containers, or changes in the packaging or label. Contact your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any changes.
- Only buy prescription medications from a safe, reputable source. If the seller is unfamiliar check with your state board of pharmacy or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy at www.nabp.net or call 847-391-4406. These sources can tell you if the pharmacy is licensed.
- When you buy medications online, make sure the seller is properly licensed. Check with your state board of pharmacy or the National Association of Boards Pharmacy at www.nabp.net or call 847-391-4406. These sources can tell you if the online seller is licensed. You should check the state board of pharmacy where the online seller is located, and your own state board of pharmacy. Some sites display a seal, such as the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s VIPPS seal, as proof that the site has met state and federal requirements. Dealing with pharmacies that display the VIPPS seal, which means they are Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site, or other similar certification seals, gives you more confidence that they and the products they sell are legitimate. See a list of VIPPS-accredited pharmacies.
- If you believe you have bought a counterfeit drug, report it. Contact the pharmacist who sold you the medication. Your pharmacist will know if there has been a legitimate change in the color, shape, taste or packaging of the medication. You can also report your suspicions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you bought the drug by mail, by telephone, or in person, contact the FDA’s Medwatch program at 1-800-332-1088 or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. To report a counterfeit drug that you bought on the Internet, use this online form or call the Medwatch number. In addition, ask your doctor for medical advice if you have taken drugs you suspect are counterfeit.
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USA Food & Drug Administration - FDA
MEDICATION HEALTH FRAUD
In general, health fraud drug products are articles of unproven
effectiveness that claim to treat disease or improve health. In addition
to wasting billions of consumers' dollars each year, health scams can
lead patients to delay proper treatment and cause serious—and even
fatal—injuries. FDA is very concerned about these fraud products, and
removing these products from the market remains one of the Agency's top
priorities.
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