hey can someone verify the date for this FDA Import Block release:
http://www.textfiles...gs/notp_fda.txtP92-3 Food and Drug Administration
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> The Food and Drug Administration announced today it has issued an import
> alert against unapproved mail-order drugs promoted by six overseas companies.
> Many of these drugs are illegally advertised in periodicals and through
> direct mail, as foreign versions of approved prescription drugs. The
> promotion and distribution of unapproved drug products within the United
> States is illegal.
> "In some cases, the drugs are counterfeit -- lacking any real similarity
> to the approved drug. The uncertain character and quality of these drugs
> constitute an unreasonable risk to the public health," FDA Commissioner
> David A. Kessler, M.D., said.
>
> The import alert instructs FDA field offices to automatically detain all
> imported unapproved prescription products manufactured by six overseas
> companies which have promoted their products in this country. The companies
> cited are Interpharm, Inc., of Nassau, Bahamas; Northam Medication Service
> International Pharmacy of Nassau, Bahamas; Inhome Services of Delemont,
> Switzerland; International Products of Hannover, Germany; Azteca Trio
> Internacional, S.A. de C.V., of Zona Rio Tijuana, Mexico; and Interlab of
> London, England.
> These companies have been promoting a wide variety of products purported
> to treat various conditions, including depression, high blood pressure,
> fungal infections, fatigue, chronic bronchitis and hair loss.
> -MORE-
>
>
> Page 2, P92-3, Import Alert
> Many of the ads for these unapproved drugs claim that people can save
> money on the costs of prescription drugs, but in reality the drugs may pose
> a risk to the patient's health. Dr. Kessler said so-called "foreign
> versions" of prescription drugs are often of unknown quality with inadequate
> directions for use.
> For many years FDA has permitted -- and will continue to permit -- its
> field offices to exercise discretion regarding the release for entry into
> the United States of small "personal-use" quantities of drugs sold abroad
> but not approved in the United States -- provided that the drugs do not pose
> unreasonable safety risks, that their use is not promoted in the United
> States and that they are for a serious condition for which there is no
> satisfactory treatment available in this country. The policy was designed
> to give FDA field offices discretion to release small quantities of
> medicines with which individuals returning to the United States may have
> been treated while traveling abroad and to allow individuals with serious
> conditions the ability to import, under certain limited conditions,
> personal-use quantities of unapproved drugs that they believe might be
> helpful in treating their conditions.
> Personal-use quantities are generally considered to be amounts for a
> patient's treatment for three months or less. Imports involving larger
> quantities are not permitted as they lend themselves to commercialization.
> FDA approves drugs on the basis of scientific data proving them to be
> safe and effective. FDA-approved labeling provides information on how and
> when the drugs can be used to maximize their effectiveness and minimize
> their harmful side effects. The manufacturing facilities and procedures for
> approved products are also carefully regulated by FDA to ensure product
> integrity.
> -MORE-
>
>
> Page 3, P92-3, Import Alert
> The unapproved drugs promoted by these overseas operations lack these
> safeguards and quality assurance standards.
> Consumers should also be aware that the acquisition and use of
> prescription drugs without the valid prescription of a physician or other
> licensed health professional may violate state or local laws. FDA warns
> that severe adverse reactions, including death, can result from the improper
> use of prescription drugs.
> Persons with questions about importation of drugs for personal use
> should consult with their local FDA district office or the FDA Imports
> Operations Branch in Rockville, Md., at (301) 443-6553.
> The Food and Drug Administration is one of the eight Public Health
> Service agencies within HHS.
