Helpful Web sites

This product information is intended only for residents of the United States.

Below is a list of Web sites that provide more information about counterfeit and importation.

United States Web sites

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)—Organization that represents and advocates for U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

• BuySafeDrugs.info—PhRMA-sponsored clearinghouse for the latest news, policies, opinion, and research on prescription drug importation that also provides news alerts and information about alternatives to importation.
• Safemedicines.org—PhRMA program that provides the basics of medicine safety, precautions to consider when buying medicines online, and tips on how to avoid counterfeit medicines as well as a daily news digest and links to helpful safety resources.

United States Chamber of Commerce—World's largest not-for-profit business federation that, among other things, works to stop the spread of counterfeit products.

• The Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP)—Coalition, co-chaired by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, that is committed to increasing stakeholders' understanding of counterfeiting and piracy by working with the United States Congress and the Bush Administration to address this threat. Pfizer is a member of CACP's Legislative Committee and its International Committee.
• United States Chamber Counterfeiting and Piracy Issues Center—U.S. Chamber's global initiative to combat counterfeiting, includes recent anti-counterfeiting actions and access to all counterfeit related site content.
• United States Chamber Intellectual Property Rights—U.S. Chamber's issue statement on counterfeiting and intellectual property rights (IPR), and access to all IPR related site content.

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—Government department that leverages resources within federal, state, and local governments to create a single, integrated agency focused on protecting the American people and their homeland.

• National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center—Multi-agency Center responsible for coordinating a unified U.S. Government approach to IPR enforcement issues. Particular emphasis is given to investigating major criminal organizations and those using the Internet to facilitate IPR crime.
• United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP)—Agency of the DHS responsible for managing, controlling and securing United States borders.

United States Department of Commerce (DOC)—Government department with the responsibility to foster, serve, and promote the Nation's economic development and technological advancement.

• Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!)—Initiative launched by the USPTO to combat the threat of counterfeit products. Includes a hotline as well as information to leverage the resources of the U.S. Government to secure and enforce trademarks, patents, and copyrights overseas.
• StopFakes.gov—USPTO's Web site devoted to the STOP! initiative.

United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA)—Government organization responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation; advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

• FDA: Combating Counterfeit Drugs—Outline of the FDA's efforts to combat the threat of counterfeit medicines and links to the FDA Counterfeit Report and a discussion of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) feasibility.
• FDA: Center for Biologics Research and Evaluation (CBER) Initiative Against Counterfeit Drugs—FDA's July 2003 CBER Initiative to address the increasing concern about the possibility of potentially unsafe counterfeit drugs reaching consumers. Includes interim and final reports.
• FDA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)—“Looks can be deceiving” consumer education initiative designed to teach people what they need to know before deciding to purchase medication outside the United States.
• FDA: MedWatch—Timely safety information on drugs and other medical products regulated by the FDA.
• FDA: Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online—Tips and warnings from the FDA for consumers buying medicines and medical products online.
• FDA News: Drug Industry Daily Online—FDA's online news digest of pharmaceutical industry related news. Updated daily.

The Center for Medicines in the Public Interest (CMPI)—Clearinghouse of information on the development, accessibility, and safety of pharmaceuticals.

International Web sites

European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines (EAASM)—An independent, cross-sector patient safety Alliance campaigning for the exclusion of counterfeit and substandard medicines from the supply chain. Raises public awareness of the issues surrounding counterfeit medicines. Pfizer is actively involved as a key Alliance member helping drive initiatives against counterfeit medicines.

International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)—International coalition of organizations committed to deterring counterfeiting and piracy worldwide.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)—Global business organization serving world business by promoting trade and investment, open markets for goods and services, and the free flow of capital.  Get more information on ICC’s IPR efforts. Learn more

• Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP)—Initiative developed under the umbrella of the ICC. Created to leverage individual company and organizational efforts to urge action by governments and enforcement officials on counterfeit and piracy issues. Get additional BASCAP information. Learn more.

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (IFPMA)—Non-profit non-governmental agency representing research-based pharmaceutical industry associations from both developing and developed countries.

Interpol—World’s largest international police organization that provides a range of essential services for the law enforcement community to optimize the international effort to combat crime, including counterfeiting and product integrity issues.

• The Third Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting—Congress convened by Interpol and The World Customs Organization with the support and participation of the World Intellectual Property Organization with the objective to develop a collective understanding of the extent of the counterfeit problem and identify effective measures to combat it.
• The Second Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting
• The First Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting

Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)—United Kingdom agency committed to safeguarding public health by ensuring that medicines, health care products, and medical equipment are used safely and meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness.

Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)—Australian government agency responsible for safeguarding public health and safety in Australia by regulating medicines and medical devices.

The Organization for Economic Co–Operation and Development (OECD)—Group of member countries that share a commitment to democratic government and the market economy and work on economic and social issues including development, science, and innovation. Learn more about the multi-year OECD project on counterfeiting and piracy.

Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS)—List of certified online pharmacies that helps to ensure authenticity when buying prescription medicines online.

World Customs Organization (WCO)—Independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.

• World Customs Organization International Property Rights Strategic Group (WCO-IPR)—Joint venture with international business sponsors that provides the world customs perspective on global counterfeiting issues and a full range of services for the benefit of its members and sponsors. Pfizer is a member.

World Health Organization (WHO)—United Nations specialized agency for health whose objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health as defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

• WHO: Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines Homepage—WHO counterfeit and substandard medicines information, reports, and activities.
• WHO: Substandard and Counterfeit Medicines Fact Sheet—Fact sheet that defines substandard and counterfeit medicines, their consequences, and actions necessary to address them.
• WHO: Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy—Counterfeit drugs: Guidelines for the Development of Measures to Combat Counterfeit Drugs brochure.

German Pharma Health Fund E.V. (GPHF)—Initiative of research-based pharmaceutical companies in Germany that projects focus on quality control and quality-management activities in the area of drug supply, and on the improvement of basic health care. For specific counterfeit information, see the GPHF’s report Counterfeit Medicines: An Unscrupulous Business.