Illinois State House and Senate Pass Bill to Strengthen Penalties for Counterfeiting

Illinois State’s House and Senate recently passed an anti-counterfeiting bill (SB 1631) which strengthens penalties for those possessing, selling, marketing and transporting counterfeit goods. The bill was a collaborative effort between Senate Majority Whip Ira Silverstein, House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, the U.S. Chamber, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and the International Trademark Association (INTA).

Counterfeiting and piracy costs the U.S. economy approximately $250 billion annually and exposes consumers to potentially harmful products. SB 1631 would impose criminal sentences for counterfeiting of up to 20 years with additional fines of up to $15 million depending upon the level of the offense. The legislation also requires mandatory forfeiture and destruction of counterfeit goods and requires restitution to victims.

We at XStream Systems commend the Illinois' legislative branch in passing this bill to protect its citizens against counterfeits. In addition to strengthening penalties for offenders, we encourage regulators to be proactive in improving supply chain and regulatory processes which act to interdict counterfeiting as a whole.

XStream Systems Stories and News for the Week of October 17, 2008

Here are a few of stories that we at XStream Systems think are noteworthy as it relates to the ever growing issues of counterfeit and adulterated medications. XStream Systems thinks that its revolutionary technology that is capable of materials analysis of medications inside of sealed containers will be an important part of solving this global problem:

Study Finds Prescription Drug Packaging Varies In Quality
The quality of prescription drug packaging from leading manufacturers varies considerably, according to a study by Pharmacy Healthcare Solutions Inc. (PHSI), a finding that could affect the integrity of the medications contained in them.

Bush signs anti-counterfeiting bill
President Bush signed a bill creating an intellectual property czar to beef up U.S. enforcement of laws against pirated and counterfeited products, including pharmaceuticals.

New Zealand: Death Highlights Dangers of Ordering Drugs Online
Earlier this year, Graham David Goodwin of Blenheim died after taking drugs that included an anti-depressant he had ordered online and had mailed to him. As a result, Parliament is being urged to crack down on the illegal importation of prescription medicines.

Sex Doctor Sold Dodgy Tablets
Dr George Patino, 48, dubbed the “King of Viagra” was jailed for his part in a multi-million pound fake medicine ring. He sold thousands of counterfeit impotence tablets to customers across the world.