How does the FDA learn about counterfeit drugs?
While manufacturers, wholesalers, re-packagers, and pharmacists are in the best position to detect counterfeit drugs, theyre not currently required by law to report their suspicions to the government. But the FDA is developing a new reporting system, and the pharmaceutical industry recently announced a voluntary reporting program where companies agree to notify the FDA within five days of suspecting a drug has been counterfeited. The FDA also hears about counterfeit drugs from consumers and health care professionals. Furthermore, the FDA has created a new alert network to provide information about counterfeit drug cases to various consumer groups and health professional organizations.
