TORONTO, ONTARIO December 17, 2004 -- Dr. Peter Rost of Pfizer and Eshetu Wondemagegnehu of the World Health Organization discussed different sides of the counterfeit drug debate addressing an international audience of senior pharmaceutical industry executives, policy makers and media reporters at a major conference on Anti-Counterfeiting Drug Strategies held by Xtalks (www.xtalks.com) on December 10.
Dr. Rost is a veteran of the pharmaceutical industry, a physician and senior marketing executive with Pfizer who is becoming well known for his critical views on the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. Rost, speaking at the Xtalks conference as an ordinary citizen and not on behalf of Pfizer, made an impassioned plea to support the re-importation of drugs from Canada to the U.S. He made a strong case why the importation of drugs is both safe and effective, pointing out examples from many European countries who have safely sold pharmaceuticals between their borders for decades. But he didn’t stop there. Rost blasted American drug manufacturers for maintaining artificially high drug prices, which he claims prevented many Americans from receiving needed medications. Rost also criticized the FDA for not taking more responsibility over counterfeit drugs coming into the United States and questioned the current safety of the existing drug supply within the U.S.
Eshetu Wondemagegnehu is Head of Quality and Safety of Medicine, Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines, World Health Organization. Wondemagegnehu explored a different angle in his presentation on the growing problem of counterfeit drugs. Wondemagegnehu described for the online audience the motivation behind the production of counterfeit medicines, what counterfeits have been identified to date, and how the WHO and other organizations are detecting and dealing with counterfeit medicines.
The conference -- sponsored by Honeycomb Connect Membership Program for People in Life Sciences http://www.honeycombconnect.com/PILS.ashx -- generated international interest including coverage in The Times (London). Given the build up to the conference some poignant questions were raised by the audience. Rost and Wondemagegnehu exchanged views between themselves and amongst audience participants who interacted through live phone and Internet chat. In response to a question about better security practices, both speakers agreed on the lack of packaging security amongst U.S. prescription drugs, pointing out that U.S. pharmacies are sent prescription drugs in bulk, which they dispense by hand, whereas in Europe drugs are distributed in sealed blister packs to ensure better security between manufacturer, pharmacist and consumer. Other questions prompted discussion on the complications of reporting counterfeit drugs and ways that drug companies and governments can play a more effective role.
The conference demonstrated Xtalks unique brand of interactive information – combining the in-depth nature of industry conference (comprehensive content, senior business leaders, expert opinion, and in-depth analysis) with the speed, recency and frequency of daily news in capturing breaking issues. Through telephone and web chat functions, Xtalks participants can interact live with speakers, news makers, and business leaders and make an impact on the discussion.
For full details on this conference visit www.xtalks.com or http://xtalks.com/dec_who.ashx to access the event archives.
Xtalks has a full slate of interactive conferences scheduled including:
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), featuring Simon Langford of Wal-Mart, February 2005. Visit http://xtalks.com/FebEvent.ashx for details.
Visit the Xtalks web site at www.xtalks.com for details and to register FREE for these great conferences.
Xtalks (www.xtalks.com) is a web-based information network that provides insight into breaking business issues through interactive digital presentations. By leveraging the best of hi-speed Internet and telecom technology, Xtalks provides a forum for interactive communication. Xtalks web conferences allow anyone with interest in a particular topic to participate in a web meeting by synchronizing their desktop computer and phone alongside industry experts. Xtalks is part of The Honeycomb Worldwide Inc. Group of Companies (www.honeycombworldwide.com), including Honeycomb Connect, an leader in executive networking, event management, web conferencing, publishing, and digital media with offices in North America and Europe.
For more information on this conference or on Xtalks: visit www.xtalks.com or contact JP Fozo, Vice President, Business Development, at phone: 416-977-6555 x291; email: e-mail protected from spam bots
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