Counterfeit medicines

FMD system goes down on its first working weekday

The computer system for the Falsified Medicines Directive crashed on the first weekday morning since after its 9 February 2019 launch.…

NPA advises pharmacists to dispense medicines even if they receive FMD database alerts

The National Pharmacy Association has told its members to dispense medicines “even if they return an alert from the Falsified Medicines Directive database” in the early stages of its implementation.…

Falsified Medicines Directive is yet another casualty of Brexit

It is understandable that pharmacists are reluctant to buy expensive equipment and change their workflows to comply with the Falsified Medicines Directive when the legislation may no longer apply after Brexit.…

Pharmacy multiples to ensure FMD compliance ‘as soon as practicably possible’

Pharmacy multiples in the UK have admitted they are unlikely to be ready for full implementation of the Falsified Medicines Directive before it comes into force across the EU on 9 February 2019.…

Less than half of UK pharmacies will be ready for FMD

Exclusive: More than 50% of pharmacies in the UK are not expected to meet the Falsified Medicines Directive deadline, the body running the system in the UK has said.…

Pharmacy regulators likely to be ‘pragmatic’ when inspecting for FMD compliance

The UK Falsified Medicines Directive Working Group for Community Pharmacy has reassured pharmacists that regulatory inspections “will not focus unduly on any single issue” after the GPhC said pharmacy inspections will include FMD compliance.…

Scottish dispensing doctors to receive £2,000 for FMD costs

Dispensing GP practices in Scotland will receive £2,000 from the government to cover the costs of complying with the Falsified Medicines Directive,  but there is no information on whether pharmacists will be given similar funding.…

FMD compliance to be part of pharmacy inspections

Existing pharmacy inspection processes will be used to monitor pharmacies’ compliance with the Falsified Medicines Directive, the General Pharmaceutical Council has announced.…

MHRA confirms it will consider UK version of Falsified Medicines Directive

With less than a month until the Falsified Medicines Directive is implemented on 9 February 2019, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has confirmed that if there is a no-deal Brexit it will consider a UK-only version of the EU law.…

RPS publishes ultimate guide to the Falsified Medicines Directive

With one month to go until the Falsified Medicines Directive goes live, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published practical guidance to help pharmacists meet the Directive’s requirements.…