| Counterfeit drugs threaten global health | | Print | |
| Monday, 30 October 2006 | |
|
Masters has produced a white paper discussing threat posed to global health by counterfeit medicines. An executive summary of the document is given here, and the full document is available as a download at the end of this summary.
Executive Summary
The Threat
The safety of the global prescription drug supply is increasingly being jeopardized by counterfeit, mislabeled, diverted, and other substandard or adulterated prescription drugs. The World Health Organization (“WHO”) estimates that at least 10% of the world’s prescription drug supply is counterfeit (1). The consequences of the recent proliferation of such counterfeit and substandard drugs are grave. Regular use of these drugs leads to therapeutic failure and drug resistance which, when treating life threatening illnesses, can ultimately result in death.
In response to this growing threat to consumer health and confidence, federal and state governments within the United States are enacting tougher laws regulating the sale and distribution of prescription drugs. The State of Florida is at the forefront of securing the prescription drug supply. Florida has recently enacted the most stringent chain-of-custody audit trail requirement (“pedigree papers”) for the sale of prescription drugs in the nation together with stricter licensing standards for prescription drug wholesalers operating within the state. As a result, according to health care experts, it is now safer to consume prescription drugs purchased in the State of Florida than almost anywhere else in the world (2).
Masters is doing its part to ensure the safety of the prescription drug supply. The company is a duly licensed and authorized prescription drug wholesaler by the State of Florida (3). Accordingly, Masters has successfully satisfied the rigorous licensing standards for prescription drug wholesalers recently established by Florida, and verifies all pedigree papers associated with any drugs sold in strict compliance with Florida law. Therefore, anyone who purchases prescription drugs from Masters that are accompanied by Florida pedigree papers can have the utmost confidence in their authenticity and proper handling and care prior to purchase.
(1) World Health Organization, Fact Sheet No. 275 (revised February 2006)
(2) See “Rx Drug Law Puts Florida at Forefront,” Orlando Business Journal, November 25, 2005 (3) Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Statewide Pharmaceutical Services, Prescription Drug Wholesaler License No. 221 granted to Masters Medical, Inc. To access the Bureau of Statewide Pharmaceutical Services homepage, go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/pharmacy/drugs/index.html. Among the valuable information located on this site are discussions of the pedigree papers requirement, designated representative application and examination requirements, prescription drug wholesaler licensing standards, FAQs about Florida’s regulation of prescription drugs, and links to the governing Florida laws and administrative regulations.
|
Download the full document here.