News and Events - 20 Mar 2012

Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act Bill Passes Senate but FDA Wants More Legal Authority

19.03.2012 15:00:00

by
Brian J. Malkin

Last week, the U.S. Sentate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Patrick Leahy (D-VT ,
S. 1886, the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act of 2011. The Bill increases penalties for trafficking counterfeit drugs.

Currently, it is illegal to introduce counterfeit drugs into interstate commerce, but the penalties are the same as for illegal trafficking other goods, such as electronics or other merchandise. In essence, the penalties for copying a company's logo on a prescription bottle were more severe than for making and selling counterfeit drugs. The Bill targets violators who knowingly manufacture, sell, or traffic counterfeit medicines in the United States.

Senator Leahy was clearly pleased with the result and is urging the House to act quickly on the Senate's lead,
stating:

We cannot allow the counterfeiting of life-saving medicine to be just one more low-risk venture from which international organized criminals can profit . . . While we should not expect that enactment of this or any legislation will completely deter the serious problem of counterfeit medication entering the American supply chain, it is an important step in the fight. I urge the House of Representatives to act quickly on this legislation.

Worldwide counterfeit medicines are a multi-billion dollar industry, and growing at an alarming pace, especially over the internet. These medicines pose a serious threat to the health and safety of unsuspecting Americans . . .The House should act as quickly as possible to ensure that counterfeit drug traffickers are punished accordingly for putting people's lives at risk with this serious crime.

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FDA Sends Teva Warning Letter for Copaxone Promotional Materials

16.03.2012 17:16:01

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Fifty-Five Members Of Congress Call On FDA To Require Labeling Of Genetically Engineered Foods

19.03.2012 1:00:58

Led by Boxer and DeFazio, Bicameral Letter Calls for Reversal of Two Decade-Old Labeling Policy, Supports CFS Legal Petition In Only 6 Months, Already 850,000+ Public Comments To FDA In Support Of Labeling This morning a bicameral letter signed by 55 Members of Congress was sent to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg calling on the agency to require the labeling of genetically engineered (GE foods. The bicameral, bipartisan letter led by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR was written in support of a legal petition filed by the Center for Food Safety (CFS on behalf of the Just Label It campaign and its nearly 400 partner organizations and businesses; many health, consumer, environmental, and farming organizations, as well as food companies, are also signatories. Since CFS filed the labeling petition in October 2011, the public has submitted over 850,000 comments in support of labeling.

FDA Panel to Study Merck, Glaxo Drugs

19.03.2012 4:39:25

An FDA panel on Tuesday will review new cancer drugs by Merck and Glaxo.