QMedRx Disturbed by "Fake Pharmacy" Activity

"Fake pharmacies" are profiting as critical prescription drugs become more difficult to find. QMedRx encourages patients to know where their medications are coming from.

2012-08-16

NEW YORK, NY, August 16, 2012 (Press-News.org) NBC News reports that "fake pharmacies" are capitalizing from U.S. prescription drug shortages. Federal lawmakers have begun investigating companies that buy and resell scarce medicines to patients. Jay Cuetara, a cancer patient in the San Francisco area said he was shocked to find some of his prescriptions were out of stock. His infusion nurse told Cuetara he wouldn't be able to continue chemotherapy treatment until the medications became available. QMedRx says that Cuetara's experience isn't uncommon.

According to the University of Utah Drug Information Service, drug shortages reached a record high in 2011. Drugs unavailable include treatments needed for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Congressional investigators began to research companies buying and reselling scarce medications - LTC Pharmacy is one such company.

Licensed in Durham, N.C., this pharmacy bought supplies of fluorouracil, one of the scarce drugs Cuetara was unable to obtain. North Carolina regulators inspected LTC Pharmacy and found what appeared to be a shipping and receiving office with no records, no dispensing equipment, no patients and no pharmacist on duty.

Investigators obtained LTC's prescription drug sales records, invoices and purchase orders. The obtained records showed the company bought drugs that were in limited supply and resold them to a wholesale drug company, International Pharmaceuticals. International Pharmaceuticals had the same address as LTC Pharmacy and was registered under the same person's name.

International Pharmaceuticals sold the scarce drugs to other companies at inflated prices. Bob Braswell, one of the inspectors on the case said that about 26 percent of the drugs the company bought were in limited supply. As QMedRx points out in a press statement, worsening drug shortages will make problems with "gray-market" pharmacies more prominent.

In a press statement, QMedRx commented that, "With the influx of drug shortages, it will be even more crucial for patients to verify that their medications are coming from an authentic pharmacy." As this statement shows, QMedRx expects companies like LTC Pharmacy to become more common. As fake pharmacies buy up limited supplies of medications to resell for profit, drug scarcity will become worse.

ABOUT:

Since 1990, QMedRx, Inc. has provided specialty pharmacy and healthcare services to patients unable to leave their homes. Home Care Solutions, the ACHC-accredited pharmacy of QMedRx, is an in-network pharmacy for most insurance providers and is licensed in 44 states. QMedRx ensures proper and timely filing and delivery of prescriptions and creates positive, lasting relationships with physicians and their patients.

http://twitter.com/QMedRX

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Dennis Bucko: Plastic Surgeon Highlights Surprising Benefits of Liposuction

2012-08-16

Science Daily reports that blood vessels have been grown from stem cells harvested through liposuction. Dennis Bucko, plastic surgeon, believes this to be the first step toward routine growth of such vessels which, ultimately, will improve the success of heart surgeries. According to the article, researchers extracted stem cells from the fat cells that were collected during liposuction. These stem cells were then used to grow small-diameter blood vessels. These blood-vessels are intended for use during heart bypass surgeries and other cardiovascular surgical procedures. ...

Homes by Vanderbuilt: New Styles, Designs Invigorate Modular Home Industry

2012-08-16

In the past, prefabricated structures and modular homes have only been limited to simple, convenient buildings that are often considered as "temporary arrangements." However, as many have discovered the cost-effective, energy-efficient benefits of modular designs, architects, designers and leading construction companies have adopted innovative ways to approach prefabricated structures for long-term, personalized use. Serving the southeast region of America, Homes by Vanderbuilt discusses the wide array of possibilities that modular designs offer. In fact, the ...

Capital Meats Explains How to Prepare the Perfect Steak

2012-08-16

Whether it's the gathering of friends or that chargrilled taste of meat cooked on the grill, cooking out is a rite of summer. When it comes to cooking the perfect steak, the task doesn't have to be stressful. A new article from The Huffington Post explains how grill masters can avoid raw or overcooked meat at cookouts forever. Capital Meats offers helpful tips on cooking steaks impeccably. According to the article, steaks sticking to the pan or the grill are the result of not waiting long enough. "Steaks need to be properly seared before they are flipped," ...

Waldorf Dentist Makes Online Appointment Scheduling Simple

2012-08-16

Dr. Gurpreet Sethi, Waldorf dentist, is excited to be featuring an online appointment request form on his practice's comprehensive dental website. He hopes this service will make it easier for his patients to schedule appointments at his practice. "I am glad that it is now easier than ever to set up an appointment at our office. We are always striving to make things as efficient and easy as possible for our patients and the online appointment request form is a great example of that. I hope that many of our patients take advantage of this service and start scheduling ...

Pompano Beach Dentist Offers Online New Patient Services to Her Patients

2012-08-16

Dr. Natalia Stadler, Pompano Beach dentist, is very happy that she is providing new patient services on her practice's comprehensive dental website. The new patient services are offered to make it as simple and easy as possible for patients to learn about and locate the cosmetic dentist in Pompano Beach's practice. "I am glad that our practice is able to provide new patient services. I strongly believe that we provide an excellent level of service here and I am confident that any new patients will be more than satisfied with their experience. I look forward to ...

Dentist in Salt Lake City Offers Downloadable Newsletter for Increased Patient Knowledge of the Dental Field

2012-08-16

At Redwood Dental Health Center, Dr. David Blanco, dentist in Salt Lake City, strives to provide his patients with the best care possible through increased patient knowledge of various dental health topics. To help patients better understand their dental health, Dr. Blanco is pleased to offer a downloadable newsletter. The available newsletter allows Dr. Blanco, Salt Lake City dentist, the opportunity to share important dental information with his patients to increase their knowledge and understanding of their care. In the second issue of Redwood Dental's newsletter, ...

Dentist in Encino, CA Continues to Provide Patients With Valuable Resources Through Website

2012-08-16

With a priority to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting, Dr. Matt Zarinnia, dentist in Encino, CA, is excited to continue to offer patients the added benefits of Encino Cosmetic Dental Group's interactive website. From online appointment requests to an extensive patient education library, Encino Cosmetic Dental Group's website has it all. "Today, we are all on the Internet for one reason or another. I understand that most of my patients are probably very well adapted to the use of the Internet for important information. ...

Pediatrician in Woodbridge and Edison, NJ Offers New Means of Communication With Patients

2012-08-16

To increase communication means with her current patients, Dr. Nimisha Shukla, pediatrician in Woodbridge and Edison, is pleased to offer the launch of Edison Pediatrics Center's patient portal. The new patient portal was created to offer patients a better way to communicate in a secure and confidential manner with Dr. Shukla and her healthcare team. Taking just a few moments to register offers patients access to valuable information and services provided in a secure and confidential manner. Once a patient is registered and logged on, they will be able to gain access ...

Gastroenterologist in Philadelphia, PA Increase Patients' Understanding of GI Diseases and Conditions

2012-08-16

Gastroenterology is constantly changing and advancing rapidly in the 21st century. To help patients remain up-to-date on various GI diseases and conditions, Dr. Geoffrey Braden, gastroenterologist in Philadelphia, PA, and his team at G.I. Specialists are happy to offer vast educational resources. From Philadelphia stomach pain and heart burn, to information on colon cancer in Langhorne, patients can find all of the information they need on various GI diseases and conditions through G.I. Specialists' interactive website full of an array of valuable educational resources. ...

Podiatrist in San Mateo Launches Social Media Websites for Increased Interaction

2012-08-16

In a technology age, most people have a social media site to closely interact with friends and family members. These pages are even used to stay up-to-date with a person's favorite company or even doctor. To take advantage of these benefits, Dr. David Kaplan, podiatrist in San Mateo, has created a Facebook and Twitter page for Foot Care Specialists, Inc. From the homepage, patients can easily access the practice's Facebook and Twitter pages for instant access to up-to-date information on Dr. Kaplan, podiatrist in San Mateo, CA, podiatric topics and an array of other ...