12 news n500,000 worth counterfeit drugs seized in ireland The Irish Medicines Board (IMB), Revenue Commissioners, Customs Service and An Garda were among authorities from more than 45 countries who participated in an InTERPOl-coordinated international internet week of action recently targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines, to raise awareness of the associated health risk. The action resulted in arrests across the globe and the seizure of thousands of potentially harmful medicines. In Ireland, a joint operation by the IMB, Customs and Garda led to the seizure of 262,000 tablets and capsules worth an estimated €500,000. The substances seized included products for weight loss and erectile dysfunction as well as mood stabilisers. Focusing on websites supplying illegal and dangerous If the menopause was discussed more openly, fewer Irish women would feel isolated, uncertain and frustrated by menopausal symptoms. That’s according to the Dublin Well Woman Centres, which recently launched a new online forum where women can discuss the menopause with medical experts as well as their peers. The online forum, called On the Vine, is being launched to mark World Menopause Day today. Also to mark the Day, Well Woman has initiated a series of fact-sheets on the menopause, which will see factsheets on various topics being published approximately every two months. The first factsheet deals with the topic of ‘hot flushes. Both the online forum and the factsheets are being hosted on www.wellwomancentre.ie. medicines, Operation PAnGEA III involved national medicines agencies, police and customs with support from Internet Service Providers (ISPs), payment systems providers and delivery services. Together they targeted the three main components abused by people seeking to make a profit in this illegal website trade, the Internet Service Provider (ISP), electronic payment system and the delivery service. On an international scale 267,855 packages were inspected globally by regulators and customs throughout the week-long operation resulting in the seizure of 10,916 packages. 1,014,043 tablets were seized in total largely relating to erectile dysfunction pills, weight loss tablets, antibiotics, hormones and steroid products, anti- Speaking on World Menopause Day, Well Woman’s Chief Executive, Alison Begas, said: “In spite of our more open society, menopause is still one of those topics that gets very little public airing. In fact, more often than not when it is mentioned, it is the butt of jokes, which does nothing to encourage open discussion of the issue. “Our new online forum, On the Vine, is an attempt to get women talking about menopause. We want them to share experiences and discuss their approaches to dealing with symptoms,” said Ms Begas. “We know from research – and indeed from feedback from women at our clinics – that most women are not informed about the menopause. According to research conducted by the depressants, pain killers, cardiac medication, anti-cholesterol, stimulants/amphetamines, cancer medication and insulin. 328 portal hubs were inspected for illegal activity resulting in the removal of 290 websites. Operation PAnGEA has grown extensively since it first took place in 2008 involving eight countries including Ireland. It is the largest internet-based action of its kind co-ordinated by the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime (PFIPC), the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group on Enforcement Officers (HMA WGEO), InTERPOl and World Customs Organisation (WCO) with the assistance of the pharmaceutical industry and the electronics payment industry in support of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT). Menopause still not discussed openly Women’s Health Council in 2008, almost 60 per cent of women aged 35 to 50 wanted more information about the menopause. By getting women talking about menopause, we hope to achieve a better understanding about this change in life.” In addition to the on-line forum and fact-sheets, Well Woman also publishes a leaflet on the menopause, which is available online or in hard copy from its clinics at Pembroke Road, liffey Street and Coolock in Dublin. For further information, see: www.wellwomancentre.ie To access the factsheet, see: www.wellwomancentre.ie/content/downloads/menopausefactsheet1.pdf The web-forum : www.wellwomancentre.ie/forum/forum A new booklet has been launched by the Irish Osteoporosis Society to mark World Osteoporosis Day 2010 which took place on October 20th. Osteoporosis Guidelines is aimed at healthcare professionals to aid diagnosis and recognise symptoms of an otherwise silent disease. Currently, 300,000 people in Ireland over the age of 50 are estimated to have osteoporosis and one in two Irish women and 1 in five men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. This is predicted to become a major healthcare burden over the next 25 years as the population ages. President of the Irish Osteoporosis Society, Professor Moira O’Brien warned that osteoporosis is set to become a ‘new epidemic’. “Osteoporosis suffers from severe under recognition and often goes unnoticed until a fracture occurs. Unfortunately, only 15% of people who have osteoporosis are actually diagnosed. Even after a fracture, the majority of these women will not issue 10 volume 12 • novemBeR 2010 new award to recognise outstanding healthcare professionals Healthcare professionals who strive to deliver outstanding service to their patients are to be recognised. Astellas recently announced the launch of a new initiative, the Astellas Changing tomorrow Awards 2010, which aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of healthcare professionals who are striving to change the course of tomorrow for patients in Ireland. Astellas has launched this new initiative in Ireland to identify those in healthcare who endeavour to deliver an outstanding service for their patients, as often these vital efforts can go unnoticed. To enter your nomination and for more information visit www.changingtomorrowawards.ie The closing date for entries is 5pm, Thursday, 18th of november, 2010. Professionals working in health who are interested in entering can also request more details from their local Astellas representative. The closing date for entries is 5pm, Thursday, 18th of november, 2010, soon after which a shortlist of entries will be chosen and announced in early January. The winner of each category will then be chosen and announced at the Astellas Changing tomorrow Awards 2010 ceremony on Monday, 31st of January, 2011. osteoporosis guidelines for healthcare professionals receive treatment for their osteoporosis. “We have drafted these guidelines to help healthcare professionals look out for signs of osteoporosis. While there have been many advances in the management of the disease, there are still important care gaps and we must do all we can to promote the detection of osteoporosis before the first fracture occurs.” To order copies of the Osteoporosis Guidelines contact the Irish Osteoporosis Society on 1890 252 751.
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