Singapore: Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) has set up its offices in China.  PSM China launch event was held in Beijing and was attended by stakeholders from the government, advocacy community and industry. The launch underscores the important role that public-private partnerships play in educating consumers and helping to keep them safe from dangerous and deadly counterfeit medicines. PSM is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to fighting the global threat posed by counterfeit drugs.

"China's resolve to protect its citizens from the dangers of counterfeit drugs has yielded great results and shows tremendous potential for the future," said Bai Huiliang, chairman, PSM China. "With the help of our partners, PSM China will support the Chinese Government's efforts to enhance drug safety and improve public health."

"PSM China is the result of years of close collaboration and open discussion with public and private sector leaders across China," said PSM executive director, Mr Scott LaGanga. "Criminals who prey upon unsuspecting patients are able to do so largely because the public is unaware of the harm counterfeit drugs can cause. Now, Chinese consumers have a powerful new resource to help educate and protect themselves from fake drug sellers and their potentially lethal products."

Recent efforts by the Chinese Government to crack down on counterfeiters have begun to bear fruit. Most recently in August nearly 2,000 people, suspected of manufacturing and selling counterfeit medicines, were arrested and seizures of nearly $180 million in fake drugs were made. PSM China aims to continue the strides made worldwide, both in educating consumers on the scope of the problem and in stopping the flow of counterfeit medicines before they reach patients.

By bringing together stakeholders from the Chinese Government, biopharmaceutical industry, and advocacy organizations, PSM China's goal is to create a nationwide network, giving urban and rural consumers the same access to vital information to protect against counterfeit drugs.