This time from India, rather than China. Ranbaxy exports hundreds of different prescription medication types at discount prices to the United States and elsewhere. Many of their plants have never been visited by the FDA, and many products currently being sold here have never even been assayed for quality yet, mostly due to a lack of money provided by the Administration to hire inspectors at the FDA.
Because of safety and efficacy issues being brought forth, a concerted effort is being brought to bear by the FDA to inspect the Ranbaxy products, among others. They've really just begun to wade through the hundreds of pharmaceuticals, and the article relates some of what they've found so far.
The consistent production of prescription drugs and even food products seems out of reach for cultures that have not developed mature models of manufacturing practices and cultural responsibilities. The US and some European countries try to impose manufacuring requirements from a distance, but it has only a limited effect. Many plants in underdeveloped countries still operate under marching orders based on sheer profit that encourage plant managers to cut corners. Some maintain a "close enough is good enough" or even a "Who's going to know?" attitude about their products, and often shrug at corruption in responsible governing and inspection agencies, considering it part of doing business. Most still don't consider themselves responsible to ensure the quality of the raw materials that they obtain to go into their products.
Almost paradoxically, many top American pharmaceutical companies feel driven to use or develop manufacturing sites in these areas to cut costs.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01886.html
Best wishes,
Because of safety and efficacy issues being brought forth, a concerted effort is being brought to bear by the FDA to inspect the Ranbaxy products, among others. They've really just begun to wade through the hundreds of pharmaceuticals, and the article relates some of what they've found so far.
The consistent production of prescription drugs and even food products seems out of reach for cultures that have not developed mature models of manufacturing practices and cultural responsibilities. The US and some European countries try to impose manufacuring requirements from a distance, but it has only a limited effect. Many plants in underdeveloped countries still operate under marching orders based on sheer profit that encourage plant managers to cut corners. Some maintain a "close enough is good enough" or even a "Who's going to know?" attitude about their products, and often shrug at corruption in responsible governing and inspection agencies, considering it part of doing business. Most still don't consider themselves responsible to ensure the quality of the raw materials that they obtain to go into their products.
Almost paradoxically, many top American pharmaceutical companies feel driven to use or develop manufacturing sites in these areas to cut costs.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01886.html
Best wishes,
They are no safer if bought in U.S.
