Post by unlawflcombatnt on Aug 5, 2010 14:32:54 GMT -6
Even though American companies proudly stamp their names on drugs, and charge exorbitantly high prices for these "American" drugs, a large number of so-called US drugs are made overseas. This gives lie to the whole "safety-issue" claptrap that is used to argue against re-importation of American drugs.
Most of them weren't made in America anyway. The real reason to ban re-importation is to maintain profits from super-high prices--prices that are well above those needed to make a reasonable profit--as demonstrated by their continued sale in foreign countries for a fraction of their American price.
from Economy in Crisis
Americans Lack Confidence in Foreign-Made Drugs
By Dustin Ensinger
Wed, Aug 4, 2010
"A new study finds that Americans lack confidence in the safety of foreign-made pharmaceuticals, and rightfully so.
Americans are very comfortable with taking medication made domestically but are very concerned about the potential risks posed by foreign-made pharmaceuticals, according to a study conducted by the Pew Prescription Project.
The study found that over 3/4 of respondents were confident of the safety of U.S. drugs. Less than 1 in 10, however, were confident about the safety of pharmaceuticals manufactured in China and India.
Little do most Americans know, the vast majority of the active chemicals in prescription drugs originate outside of the U.S. Roughly 80% of the substances used to make or package drugs sold in the U.S. are made in other nations.
The amount of materials coming from China and India has grown exponentially in the 2nd half of the decade. Neither country is known for its strong regulatory standards or working conditions.
In fact, in 2007 and 2008, 149 deaths occurred in the U.S. due to contaminants in the blood thinner Heparin. The toxic chemicals were believed to have originated in the supply chain in China. It is believed that the company responsible was trying to use a low-cost substitute in place of the pure drug.
"When you buy a shirt, it will say right on the label where it was made, but when you get a pharmaceutical, you don't know," Allan Coukell, a pharmacist who directs the medical safety portfolio for the Pew Health Group, said in the executive summary of the survey.
In 2004, 49% of the materials used to make drugs sold in the U.S. came from China or India. By 2007, that number was up to 68%.
In the years since the share of ingredients from China and India in U.S. drugs exploded, so too have the number of recalls in the U.S. Between 2008 and 2009, Food and Drug Administration recalls were up 400 percent, totaling 1,742 in 2009 alone.
The FDA unfortunately, has little ability - due to lack of resources - or authority to inspect foreign manufacturing sites.
"They clearly don't have the people or the resources they need to oversee manufacturing the way it exists today," Coukell said....
But that is exactly what Americans want, according to the survey. Nearly nine in 10 Americans back stronger drug safety measures to strengthen oversight of the supply chain.
To do just that Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO) introduced The Drug Safety and Accountability Act. The bill would establish quality standards for the FDA, drug companies and their contractors, improve the federal government’s tracking systems and strengthen inspections and quality standards for drug makers who outsource to suppliers.
I have a couple of better ideas. Just force every manufacturer and pharmacist to write on the prescription bottle itself where the drug came from.
But better still, just ban pharmacies from selling drugs that aren't made in the US. This country certainly has the know-how to make ALL of the drugs we use in this country. It's Big Pharma that is responsible--outsourcing to avoid US labor costs and taxes, meanwhile expanding their already exorbitant profit margins.
“This bill is a critical step toward improving the safety of the prescription drugs millions of Americans depend on every day,” David Sloane, AARP senior vice president, said in a press release. “It gives the FDA the necessary authority to ensure strong quality standards protecting U.S. consumers are upheld in the U.S. and around the world, and encourages the rapid sharing of information to help quickly identify and act on quality control issues.”"
I'll surprised if it passes in any worthwhile form, and even more surprised if it helps the problem any whatsoever.
Most of them weren't made in America anyway. The real reason to ban re-importation is to maintain profits from super-high prices--prices that are well above those needed to make a reasonable profit--as demonstrated by their continued sale in foreign countries for a fraction of their American price.
from Economy in Crisis
Americans Lack Confidence in Foreign-Made Drugs
By Dustin Ensinger
Wed, Aug 4, 2010
"A new study finds that Americans lack confidence in the safety of foreign-made pharmaceuticals, and rightfully so.
Americans are very comfortable with taking medication made domestically but are very concerned about the potential risks posed by foreign-made pharmaceuticals, according to a study conducted by the Pew Prescription Project.
The study found that over 3/4 of respondents were confident of the safety of U.S. drugs. Less than 1 in 10, however, were confident about the safety of pharmaceuticals manufactured in China and India.
Little do most Americans know, the vast majority of the active chemicals in prescription drugs originate outside of the U.S. Roughly 80% of the substances used to make or package drugs sold in the U.S. are made in other nations.
The amount of materials coming from China and India has grown exponentially in the 2nd half of the decade. Neither country is known for its strong regulatory standards or working conditions.
In fact, in 2007 and 2008, 149 deaths occurred in the U.S. due to contaminants in the blood thinner Heparin. The toxic chemicals were believed to have originated in the supply chain in China. It is believed that the company responsible was trying to use a low-cost substitute in place of the pure drug.
"When you buy a shirt, it will say right on the label where it was made, but when you get a pharmaceutical, you don't know," Allan Coukell, a pharmacist who directs the medical safety portfolio for the Pew Health Group, said in the executive summary of the survey.
In 2004, 49% of the materials used to make drugs sold in the U.S. came from China or India. By 2007, that number was up to 68%.
In the years since the share of ingredients from China and India in U.S. drugs exploded, so too have the number of recalls in the U.S. Between 2008 and 2009, Food and Drug Administration recalls were up 400 percent, totaling 1,742 in 2009 alone.
The FDA unfortunately, has little ability - due to lack of resources - or authority to inspect foreign manufacturing sites.
"They clearly don't have the people or the resources they need to oversee manufacturing the way it exists today," Coukell said....
But that is exactly what Americans want, according to the survey. Nearly nine in 10 Americans back stronger drug safety measures to strengthen oversight of the supply chain.
To do just that Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO) introduced The Drug Safety and Accountability Act. The bill would establish quality standards for the FDA, drug companies and their contractors, improve the federal government’s tracking systems and strengthen inspections and quality standards for drug makers who outsource to suppliers.
I have a couple of better ideas. Just force every manufacturer and pharmacist to write on the prescription bottle itself where the drug came from.
But better still, just ban pharmacies from selling drugs that aren't made in the US. This country certainly has the know-how to make ALL of the drugs we use in this country. It's Big Pharma that is responsible--outsourcing to avoid US labor costs and taxes, meanwhile expanding their already exorbitant profit margins.
“This bill is a critical step toward improving the safety of the prescription drugs millions of Americans depend on every day,” David Sloane, AARP senior vice president, said in a press release. “It gives the FDA the necessary authority to ensure strong quality standards protecting U.S. consumers are upheld in the U.S. and around the world, and encourages the rapid sharing of information to help quickly identify and act on quality control issues.”"
I'll surprised if it passes in any worthwhile form, and even more surprised if it helps the problem any whatsoever.