Combating Counterfeit drugs

This week’s lead Editorial discusses the growing problem of counterfeit drugs, highlighting a possible counterfeiting case in America in which a contaminant found in batches of heparin is believed to have killed at least 81people.

The Editorial concludes: “There is no magic bullet to deal with counterfeit medicines. Countries need to adopt multipronged, multidisciplinary approaches to combat the problem. WHO and donor countries should provide support to developing nations to strengthen their drug regulatory systems. But individual governmental commitment to this goal is essential. Without it, public safety will continue to be compromised.”

In research, an Article suggesting that diagnosing a carotid bruit-a distinctive sound indicating a blockage in the carotid blood vessels-could identify people at risk of heart attack and cardiac death.

Also in research, encouraging news from a Article suggesting that antiretroviral therapy made freely available in Malawi between 2004 and 2006 could be having an impact in reducing mortality in the 15 to 59 age group.

And a UK trial which highlights how influential teenagers trained as peer counsellors could reduce early teenage smoking by around a quarter.

Finally, we feature a New Drugs Class piece about the vaptans Hormone based treatment targeting the vasopresin system which could reduce common ailments including period pain, glaucoma, and psychotic disorders.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 5:15 pm and is filed under The Lancet Digest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can trackback from your own site.