Counterfeiting

SE Asia likely source of fake anti-malarials in Africa; study

20-Dec-2011 - Counterfeit anti-malarials containing the Viagra API were probably manufactured in Southeast Asia, researchers found.

FDA anti-adulteration efforts hindered by industry; GAO

28-Nov-2011 - Industry reluctance to share information on economic adulteration is hindering FDA efforts to tackle tainted ingredients, a GAO report found.

EC seeks industry feedback to shape serialisation policy

24-Nov-2011 - The EC is seeking industry comments before implementing the serialisation aspect of the falsified medicines directive.

Trust in drug source may blind wholesalers to counterfeits

15-Nov-2011 - Wholesalers’ trust in the quality of products from some countries could decrease vigilance and allow counterfeits to reach pharmacies, research found.

Avantor to add tamper-evident seals to raw material containers

20-Oct-2011 - Avantor is to offer tamper-evident seals on all its pharma raw material and excipient containers by the end of the year.

Tech needed to cut rise of fake drugs on Twitter, research says

17-Oct-2011 - Spam filtering and identification is needed to stop Twitter becoming another platform for pushers of fake or substandard drugs, researchers say.

FDA releases final guidance on anti-counterfeiting excipients

12-Oct-2011 - The FDA has published final guidance on the use of excipients as anti-counterfeiting tools in solid oral dosage forms.

Ukraine votes to criminalise drug counterfeiting

26-Sep-2011 - Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has voted unanimously in favour of new legislation which will criminalise the production and trafficking of counterfeit drugs.

Rx-360 begins audit sharing to raise ingredient quality

21-Sep-2011 - Rx-360 has begun its audit sharing programme to increase knowledge about suppliers and the quality of pharmaceutical raw materials.

FDA asks for powers to stop another heparin-like crisis

15-Sep-2011 - The FDA needs additional powers to update its “antiquated, domestically-focused statute” and end the “competitive advantage of non-compliance”, an agency official said.

News in brief

Counterfeiters target countries with weak laws says Antigua Pharma Society

24-Aug-2011 - Drug counterfeiters are using the Caribbean as a transport hub to ship fake pharmaceutical around the world according to the Antigua Pharmaceutical Society.

Foreign investment needed to boost UAE drug production

24-Aug-2011 - The UAE needs overseas investment to kick-start its pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and end reliance on foreign imports, the DCCI says.

HP launches ‘cloud’ track and trace system to help fight counterfeits

04-Aug-2011 - HP has launched a global authentication service it says will help identify counterfeit and stolen pharmaceuticals.

Tamper evident devices must be traceable & unique; Rx-360

18-Jul-2011 - Physical endurance, traceability and uniqueness are key characteristics for tamper evident devices used in raw material supply, according to Rx-360.

FDA must be empowered to oversee supply chain; report

13-Jul-2011 - Congress must grant the FDA additional powers to bring oversight of manufacturing inline with shifts in production practices, according to a report.

USP publishes free drug quality standards collection online

04-Jul-2011 - The USP has published a free, online collection of standards to support drug quality, particularly where regulatory resources are limited.

News in brief

China arrests 263 in counterfeiting crackdown

31-May-2011 - Chinese authorities have arrested hundreds of people accused of manufacturing and selling fake pharmaceuticals in the country’s Zhejiang province.

EU falsified meds act formally adopted

31-May-2011 - The European Union (EU) formally adopted the falsified medicines directive at the weekend, giving member states 18 months to makes the document's anti-counterfeiting track and trace measures into national law.