Shabbir Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final decision to approve Florida’s Canadian drug importation plan.

“The United States government’s decision to approve Florida’s Canadian drug importation plan weakens our nation’s safe drug supply, putting American patients at risk. This decision breaks our closed loop system and opens the door to counterfeiters and others who will be more than happy to meet demand. By design, Florida’s plan puts our most vulnerable patient communities – such as people living with HIV – at risk.”

PSM continues to track importation proposals across the country and works to educate patients and policymakers about the risks of purchasing medicines from online pharmacies. For more information and to find resources about counterfeit drugs and more, visit safemedicines.org or contact editors@safemedicines.org.

About the Partnership for Safe Medicines

The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) is a public health group comprised of non-profit organizations that handle medicine from the factory floor to the patient and are committed to the safety of prescription drugs. To learn more, visit www.safemedicines.org.

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