This week, USP officially launched a public database of information collected on the quality of drugs from 8,700 records of tested samples from Ghana, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Peru, Guyana, and Columbia. The database is part of the USAID-supported Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) program

Data collected through 2010 shows, for example, that 4.6 % of all drugs tested in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America failed PQM’s quality tests, with antimalarials the primary target.

The fight against drug counterfeiting is one of endless challenges and, increasingly, proven victories. One recent triumph has been that, with help from the Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) program, Cambodia has reduced the number of its illegal pharmacies by 65% and has taken great strides in managing its internal counterfeiting problem. We emailed USP's Dr.

Appreciation is due to Bilcare Technologies Singapore for putting together the No To Fakes website, which has many useful and amusing features related to anticounterfeiting efforts in the drug and other industries.

How did we ever live without DVD's and the "movie behind the movie" clips?  Pfizer recently publicized a behind-the-scenes look at how it filmed its recent controversial public service ad, aimed at stopping online counterfeit drug sales. 
 Now  Click here to watch the film behind the film.

Some of those in favor of relaxed reimportation often argue that the drug industry is fear mongering when it points to potential safety problems with drugs or ingredients sourced from abroad. "Be afraid, be very afraid. "  Well, recent events have shown that there is reason for fear....or at least for extreme caution when ensuring the pedigree of any raw materials  sourced from abroad.