Judges’ comments: The scope of the story was impressive, including a trip to Peru for a police raid on a source of fake drugs, and interviews with FDA and U.S. immigration officials admitting they can’t screen out all the fake drugs and that even when they grab a shipment, they can’t arrest anyone; all they can do is send the pills back. This story tells a chilling tale that will make viewers look askance at their pill bottles. After it aired, Congress held hearings and the FDA drew up a new plan to monitor safety of imported drugs.
Provide names of other journalists involved.
Michael Radutzky
Bill Owens
Jeff Fager
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
March 13, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
60 Minutes’ nine-month investigation of counterfeit prescription drugs reveals how the dangerous and sometimes deadly fakes get into the nation’s drug pipeline.
The difficult fight against counterfeit drugs
The fight against counterfeit drugs
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Databases of fraudulent websites, shared by pharma, and security companies. Video from under cover stings by law enforcement. Data from tests on prescription drugs from illegal supply chains – carried out by FDA’s lab and and major drug companies security groups. Pacer Federal Court Records. And court records and depositions, previously sealed confidential, obtained and made publicly available through CBS attorneys’ intervention in ongoing heparin litigation. This preliminary work helped focus our attention on certain parts of the world and parts of the country – and certain characters and groups – that would be representative of a larger problem.
Explain types of human sources used.
Dozens of global security consultants. Supply chain security groups. Major pharmaceutical companies. Generics Pharma companies. Pharma trade associations. Immigration Customs Enforcement sources. FDA sources based all over the world. Commerce department. Interpol IP Crime. WHO. USP. Peruvian State Police. Major IP law firms based overseas. Anti counterfeiting business groups. State law enforcement in Florida, Texas and Wisconsin. Pharma Manufacturing experts with focus on China, India. Data monitoring groups. Private Investigators with expertise in this space, based in multiple countries. State Boards of Pharmacy in multiple states. Pew Prescription Drug Project.
Results (if any).
Shortly after our piece aired, there were congressional hearings. Our segment was played for the hearing. There was also a major round table gathering of pharmaceutical companies and government regulators and law enforcement met in DC about the safety of the US Drug Supply. 3 months after our story, the FDA layed out a new Global Strategy to Monitor for dangerous drugs and increase import safety. New legislation is under consideration to address a number of issues raised by the story.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
None.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
The best sources are: IP lawfirms with overseas reach and the network of specialized private investigators, Global Security Teams of Major pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer is historically the most engaged with the press on this issue), Federal court records and records from State Boards of Pharmacy often good place to look. ICE / Customs are the most resourceful and cooperative federal agencies on this issue. Florida Dept of Law Enforcement has a deep bench of experienced investigators in this area.