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On Feb. 18, 2004,
FDA issued a final report
that identifies ways to combat the growing public health problem
of counterfeit prescription drugs in the United States. Counterfeit
drugs are not only illegal but are also inherently unsafe.
The report is the outcome of an initiative launched in July
2003, when a task force was formed to identify steps FDA, other
government agencies and the private sector could take to minimize
the risks to the public from counterfeit drugs. The task force
consulted with security experts, federal and state law enforcement
officials, technology developers, manufacturers, wholesalers,
retailers, consumer groups, and the general public. In October
2003, the task force issued an interim
report that was followed by a public meeting and technology
forum.
The final report describes steps to protect against counterfeit
drugs in the years ahead, and identifies specific steps needed
now to secure the U.S. drug distribution system.
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