India regulator may vet plan to check counterfeit drugs
India’s central drug regulator is creating a working group to critically appraise its proposal to set up a “trace and track” mechanism to weed out fake medicines from the market using unique codes. The working group, comprising pharmaceutical association representatives and members of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, is to submit its report on the problems and “suitable solutions” by October, according to a person aware of the development. 

The move follows the Drugs Technical Advisory Board’s approval to a proposal for a “trace and track” mechanism during a meeting held on May 16 . The proposal entails a 14-digit number to be printed on the labels of the top 300 pharmaceutical brands unique to each strip and bottle sold in the market. The 300 brands for this track-and-trace mechanism will be selected based on the market size, the official said, adding that work was underway to collate the list of these products. Pharmaceutical companies are still awaiting clarity on how this mechanism will work and who will be responsible for creating the portal that allots the numbers.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for selling fake Fentanyl Pills
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a 34-year-old Pennsylvania man received a 210-month sentence for selling counterfeit pills made with fentanyl . Nathan A. Ott of Chambersburg pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl starting in October 2015 until his arrest in May 2017. 
WHO treaty against illicit tobacco in effect Sept
A United Nations-backed treaty aimed at stopping the illicit trading of tobacco products, is set to enter into force on 25 September, marking a diplomatic breakthrough in efforts to protect public health and strike back against the criminal organizations profiting from such deals. Officials from the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) explain that the package of measures agreed by countries which 45 Parties and the European Union have signed up – known as the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol)- was developed in response to a growing illegal trade in tobacco products, often across borders.

“With the entering into force of the Protocol, we have made yet another step in our global efforts in tobacco control,” said Vera da Costa e Silva, the Head of Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, which will also serve as the Secretariat for the Protocol. If the global illicit trade was eliminated overnight, governments would see an immediate gain of at least $31billion in revenue; and according to studies, beginning in 2030, more than 160,000 lives could be saved per year, that would otherwise be lost to tobacco-related illness. Read more...

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ASPA extend its support and signed barter agreement with Smart Card Expo , Anti-Counterfeit & Currency Conference & Pharma Pro Pack Expo 2018 for upcoming year. Whilst the SmartCards Expo focuses on smart card & payments, the Anti-Counterfeit & Currency Conference is dedicated to cash management, currency and secure document supply chain exhibition. ASPA is also supporting following event for upcoming year;






Latest Tender Alert
I). Organisation Name: VU MEDISCH CENTRUM
Description: Contract notice: Market consultation - Track & Trace patient bound material
Deadline: 22 Nov 2018

II). Organisation Name: CANADA REVENUE AGENCY
Country : Canada
Description: Request for Proposal (RFP): Provision of Excise stamp system
Deadline: 08 Aug 2018

III). Organisation STATE OF DELAWARE
Description: Tax Stamps
Tender Notice No. FIN18002CIGTAXSTAM
Deadline 15-Aug-2018

IV). Organisation: MINISTÉRIO DA AGRICULTURA, PECUÁRIA E ABASTECIMENTO
Address Rodovia Br-285, Km 294 - Caixa Postal 3081 - Súburbios - Passo Fundo (RS), 
Country : Brazil
Description: Tenders are invited for acquisition of paper packaging, identification labels and plastic bottles, to meet the demand of embrapa wheat, located in passo fundo - rs
Deadline: 06 Aug 2018