by
Barbara Kram, Editor | October 26, 2005
FDA will continue to work with stakeholders in the U.S. drug distribution system to strengthen the safety and security of the domestic drug supply and will continue to:
* Actively monitor internet sites and will partner with internet service providers to identify and stop fraudulent activity.
* Aggressively seek out and prosecute those who seek to prey on innocent people in a time of crisis.
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* Encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to take advantage of new technologies that provide protective packaging and other features to ensure the product is both authentic and has not been tampered with.
The FDA Counterfeit Alert Network is ready and available to help disseminate information in the event of counterfeit incident. The Counterfeit Alert Network is a partnership between FDA and numerous organizations that have agreed to distribute FDA approved messages to their members about counterfeits on a timely basis to assure rapid action to minimize the risk of exposure to counterfeits. In the event of a confirmed counterfeit case in the U.S., FDA will send an Alert to these partners. FDA will send out an FYI notice to partners if a counterfeit incident is confirmed elsewhere in the world that could affect U.S. patients.
To minimize the risk of counterfeit or fraudulent flu treatments, the FDA recommends the following:
* Consumers should buy medicines only from U.S. state-licensed pharmacies.
* When buying medicines over the Internet, consumers should look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy VIPPS seal. This seal tells consumers that the web site has been certified, and if people want to buy a medicine on line, this is a legitimate pharmacy to purchase it from.
* Only use medicine that has been prescribed for you by your doctor and do not rely on websites that will provide you with a prescription for the medicine without a true doctor-patient relationship.
The agency will continue to collaborate with state and local health departments to educate consumers about the dangers of fraudulent treatments and preventions for Avian flu. For more information on seasonal and pandemic flu, check these web sites:
Pandemic Flu (HHS)
Pandemic Flu (CDC)
Seasonal Flu (NIAID)
Seasonal Flu (FDA
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