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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) is the national association representing primary, full-service healthcare distributors. Each business day, the member companies of HDMA are responsible for ensuring that more than eight million prescription medicines and healthcare products are safely delivered to 145,000 pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, clinics, government and other providers in all 50 states. This essential public health function is provided with tremendous efficiency, saving the nation’s healthcare system nearly $32 billion each year. HDMA and its members are the vital link in the healthcare system, working daily to provide value, remove costs and develop innovative solutions to deliver care safely and effectively. |
