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HDMA JOINS THE FDA COUNTERFEIT
ALERT NETWORK
ARLINGTON, VA — May 12, 2006 — As
part of ongoing efforts to fight the threat of counterfeit drugs to the
U.S. medicine supply, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association
(HDMA) joined the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Counterfeit
Alert Network.
The Counterfeit Alert Network is designed to inform consumers, pharmacists,
healthcare professionals, distributors and other healthcare organizations
of counterfeit drug incidents, and provides education on ways to identify
and prevent counterfeits from entering the U.S. medicine supply.
“HDMA members serve as the central link in a sophisticated supply
chain. As such, we have a responsibility to work closely with government,
manufacturers, providers and law enforcement to safeguard patient health,” said
HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray. “Patient safety and supply chain
security is our members’ greatest concern, and we strongly support
efforts to further secure the U.S. healthcare system.”
As a partner in the Counterfeit Alert Network, HDMA will distribute time-sensitive
FDA messages and information on specific counterfeit incidents to member
distribution companies. HDMA also will provide educational messages
about counterfeit drugs, as well as information needed to recognize and
report suspect or counterfeit drug products to FDA.
Joining the Counterfeit Alert Network is the latest in a series of
measures led by HDMA to fight the threat of counterfeit drugs. HDMA
has and will continue to petition states across the United States to crack
down on criminals who seek to obtain drug distribution licenses, and has been
leading the call for stricter licensing standards, stronger regulations, greater
enforcement, tougher criminal penalties and best business practices to help
secure the nation’s medicine supply. HDMA is also a strong advocate
for current and emerging anti-counterfeiting technologies, such as EPC/RFID.
About HDMA
The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) and its
members are committed to patient safety by delivering life-saving
health products and services through a secure and efficient healthcare
distribution system. These primary healthcare distributors,
representing more than 90 percent of the distribution system, are
responsible for ensuring that billions of units of medication are
safely delivered -- to tens of thousands of retail pharmacies, nursing
homes, clinics and providers -- in all 50 states. For more than 125
years, HDMA and its members have been the vital link in the healthcare
system that is responsible for medicine safety, quality, integrity
and availability in the marketplace. Through leadership on
public policy and industry best practices, HDMA and its members focus
on providing value, removing costs and developing innovative solutions
to deliver care safely and effectively. |
