Internet drug sales to be included in new EU legislation aimed at preventing counterfeits

European parliamentarians voted yesterday in favor (51-0) of including Internet drug sales in European Union (EU) legislation aimed at preventing counterfeit medicines from entering the supply chain. Under the proposal, Internet pharmacies would have to obtain special authorizations in EU member states where they are allowed to operate. Their sites would be required to bear [...]

World IP Day – 10th Anniversary

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of World Intellectual Property Day.  Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization commented that “Innovative technologies are creating a truly global society. The intellectual property system is part of this linking process. It facilitates the sharing of information. It provides a framework for trading and disseminating technologies. [...]

Immunization week to kick off in 112 countries

Immunization campaigns are being launched simultaneously tomorrow in 112 countries and territories in the World Health Organization Regions of the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean and Europe, with the goals of expanding immunization coverage and raising awareness of the importance of vaccines. Decades of experience have shown that investment in immunization pays off in terms of lives [...]

UN announces partnership to improve maternal health

United Nations Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) today announced the development of a Joint Action Plan for accelerating progress on maternal and newborn health.  The Joint Action Plan will bring together Governments, foundations, the corporate sector, civil society and UN agencies in a targeted effort to improve the health of women and children. Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will [...]

World Malaria Day 2010 – highlighting progress in the fight against malaria

From Global Health Progress Significant progress has been made in combating malaria in Africa, but more remains to be done according to a recent report from Roll Back Malaria (RBM) – the United Nations-led global partnership for coordinated action against malaria. The report, released in advance of World Malaria Day 2010 (April 25), shows a [...]

UN warns of health risks, breathing concerns from volcanic ash

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned today that the health risks related to the ashes from the volcanic eruption in Iceland are not yet fully known, but they could be harmful when inhaled, especially for people with asthma and other respiratory problems. It is estimated that about 25 per cent of the particles in the [...]

The economic impact of IP infringement: a report from the U.S. GAO

The United States Government Accountability Office recently released a report on efforts to quantify the effects of counterfeit goods (Intellectual property:  observations on efforts to quantify the effects of counterfeit and pirated goods). Intellectual property is an important component of the U.S. economy, however the report noted that the illicit nature of counterfeiting and piracy [...]

Counterfeits threaten public health in Peru

The prevalence of counterfeit medicines in Peru has increased annually (since 2005) by an average of 45% – representing a significant threat to patient safety and public health.  Nearly a quarter of the counterfeit medicines found by Peru’s National Quality Control Center did not contain any active ingredient, providing no health benefit or protection to [...]