Warning about continued dangers of counterfeit prescription drugs from NABP

Amid increased concern over the growing epidemic of counterfeit drugs, the USA's National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has issued a warning concerning such worldwide activity, noting that much of it is aimed at US pharmacy outlets. According to a World Health Organization report last year, the current prevalence of counterfeit medicines can range to over 10% of the drug supply globally. The WHO also released figures which suggest that 50% of illegally-bought Internet-purchased drugs are fake and that the worst-affected regions of the world experience "over 30%" counterfeiting (Marketletter November 20, 2006).

The NABP noted that, in 2006 in the USA, 19 people were indicted in Detroit, Michigan, for importing and distributing counterfeit products, to include pharmaceuticals. A portion of the proceeds were used to fund the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

11 people in the states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Dakota and the Central American nation of Belize were indicted on charges of selling counterfeit prescription drugs over the Internet. Investigators believe many of the drugs had little or no medicinal value, and that those behind the scam netted over $19.0 million.