Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI) are partnering to protect patients from threats posed by illegal pharmaceuticals, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR) announced last week.
IPR Center Director Jim Mancuso and PSI President and CEO Todd Ratcliffe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Dec. 19, the announcement reports. Under the agreement, PSI, IPR and HSI "will develop comprehensive strategies to investigate the manufacture, importation, transportation, sale, and distribution of counterfeit or unapproved medications and medical devices," according to the announcement, "as well as strengthen the supply chain across public and private sectors."
"As consumers look for more convenient and affordable methods of acquiring medicines," IPR states in the announcement, "many have turned to the internet. However, doing so comes with the risk of purchasing counterfeit pharmaceuticals, that range from drugs with no active ingredients to those with dangerous impurities."
Ratcliffe said the consumption of counterfeit medicines is a public-health threat with "serious consequences for individuals and communities globally," and that the partnership is committed to using all of its resources, "while leveraging our strong relationship with our industry and governmental partners to help stop the illegal flow of counterfeit and unapproved medical products globally.”
Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), Mancuso stated that more than one million people worldwide die each year from taking counterfeit medications.
“Networking, connecting resources and sharing information enhances our ability to prevent the sale and importation of these dangerous pharmaceuticals around the world," he said, "and protect consumers from the harm illegal online pharmacies pose.”
