WHO Creates International Medical Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce

Resolve DMEPOS Issues Now for Jan. 1. Accreditation

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WHO Creates International Medical Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce

WorldHealth Organization (WHO) has created the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) to raise awareness, mobilize nations, and draft international legislation regarding counterfeit medical products. According to the WHO more than 8% of the medical devices in circulation are counterfeit. Counterfeit medical devices pose a significant liability to the manufacturers and a health risk to both the patients and healthcare providers that could result in injury, permanent disability, or even death.

Over the past few years, the Food and Drug Administration has reported numerous counterfeit medical products in the U.S. like unsterile surgical bandages, faulty glucose test strips, and fake pharmaceuticals. In 2009, U.S. Customs seized more than $30 million in counterfeit medical products, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, electronic components, and power systems.

While domestic and international organizations are doing their best to fight the counterfeiting threat, there are many reasons for medical device manufacturers to become more proactive in protecting their brands. "The potential health risks to consumers aren't the only dangers," explains Steve Delepine, V.P. of Business Development for BrandWatch Technologies. "The effects of legal liabilities, negative branding, and revenue loss can ultimately bankrupt a company."

Delepine emphasizes, "BrandWatch is an organization familiar with pulling together varying resources to monitor the product's entire life cycle - from contract manufacturers, to healthcare administrators, all the way to the customer."
Source: PRWire
 

Resolve DMEPOS Issues Now for Jan. 1 Accreditation
 
CMS reminds all pharmacies seeking DMEPOS accreditation to resolve any outstanding issues on the accreditation report so that the accrediting organization can make a determination in advance of the January 1, 2010 deadline. 

The DMEPOS accrediting organization will notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) when your pharmacy is accredited.  Pharmacies that do not plan to remain enrolled in DMEPOS Medicare program are strongly encouraged to notify their customers as soon as possible should they need to find another DMEPOS supplier. Read more