Probe launched into pill makers' practices|Prime|chinadaily.com.cn

Probe launched into pill makers' practices|Prime|chinadaily.com.cn

Authorities are suspending sales of 13 types of capsules with reported chromium contamination and are checking the factories accused of producing them.The State Food and Drug Administration issued an urgent notice on Sunday to suspend sales until safety is tested.

Corporate Espionage and Fierce Competition Can Lead to Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits by Texas Patent Infringement Lawyer, Texas Business Litigation Lawyer, Texas Trade Secret Theft Lawyer, and Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Corporate Espionage and Fierce Competition Can Lead to Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits by Texas Patent Infringement Lawyer, Texas Business Litigation Lawyer, Texas Trade Secret Theft Lawyer, and Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawyer Jason S. Coomer 

Industrial espionage including theft of trade secrets, patent infringement, and illegal use of other intellectual property is accelerating.   As patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property are key to competing in the competitive business environment and are often developed through expensive research, more and more businesses are becoming targets for corporate espionage from domestic and international competition.  

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US Technologies and Trade Secrets at Risk in Cyberspace
Foreign Spies Stealing US Economic Secrets in Cyberspace

The pace of foreign economic collection and industrial espionage activities against major US corporations and US Government agencies is accelerating. FIS, corporations, and private individuals increased their efforts in 2009-2011 to steal proprietary technologies, which cost millions of dollars to develop and represented tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in potential profits. The computer networks of a broad array of US Government agencies, private companies, universities, and other institutions—all holding large volumes of sensitive economic information—were targeted by cyber espionage; much of this activity appears to have originated in China.

Foreign collectors commonly take advantage of the cyber environment because it is difficult to detect and to attribute responsibility for these operations. 

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Traditionally, most patent infringement and corporate espionage has been limited to domestic lawsuits and enforcement.  However as many countries including China, India, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, and other emerging countries are importing more products back into the United States, new potential causes of actions and increased government enforcement are becoming available. China is the number one source of infringing products seized at the U S border and multinational corporations that use infringing products that are imported into the United States are a major focus of increased lawsuits and enforcement actions.  

Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits

After a valuable patent or other valuable intellectual property is infringed upon or a trade secret is stolen, it is difficult to determine the next step.  Many questions arise and need to be answered including: 1) Who is infringing on our patent? 2) Is the infringement actionable? 3) Where is the infringement occurring? 4) When did the infringement begin? 5) How do we stop the infringement? 6) What damages did we suffer?  7) What potential causes of action do we have? 8) Who are the defendants? and 9) Can we collect a judgment against this defendant or defendants?   

The answers to most of these questions can be complicated and very different depending on your business and the unique fact scenario surrounding the theft or infringement on your intellectual property.  By understanding what laws may apply to a particular patent infringement or theft of trade secret case, a business can determine how to respond including seeking compensation and protecting itself from future losses.

International Patent Infringement Lawyers, International Trade Secret Theft Lawyers, International Business Litigation Lawyers, International Intellectual Property Theft Lawyers, International Fake Product Lawyers, International Corporate Espionage Lawyers, International Business Fraud Whistleblower Lawyers, International Intellectual Property Lawyers, and International Business Litigation Teams

Large international patent infringement lawsuits and international corporate espionage lawsuits usually require large litigation teams with business litigation lawyers throughout the United States and the World.  These cases can be extremely complicated and require vast resources to fully litigated.   For more information on this topic as well as some of the legal issues and potential causes of action regarding international patent infringement, international corporate espionage, and international theft of trade secrets, please go to the following web page: International Patent Infringement Lawsuits, International Trade Secret Theft Lawsuits, International Supply Chain Procurement Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits, International Patent Infringement Qui Tam Lawsuits, and International Business Litigation Lawsuits. 

Patents & Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits

A patent is the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or offering for sale a patented invention.  The owner of a patent has several exclusive rights to the patent. A violation of the patent owner's exclusive rights constitutes an infringement entitling the owner to injunctive relief to stop the infringement and to monetary damages. Damages for patent infringement can be based on lost profits or reasonable royalties.  Lost profits are calculated on what the plaintiff would have sold the device itself if the infringement had not occurred.  While reasonable royalties is determined by the amount the defendant would have paid plaintiff as a royalty for the right to use the patents.

Texas Theft of Trade Secrets Lawsuits and Texas Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuits

Officers and employees that wrongfully steal intellectual property including theft of trade secrets, customer lists, patents, and copyrights can be held liable by Texas courts for breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, fraud, and other business torts.  As the intellectual property owned by a business becomes more valuable and easier to steal through technology, it is increasingly important for businesses to protect their intellectual property as well as to make an example of officers, business partners, independent contractors, and employees that steal intellectual property.  

Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits

 For more information on Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits, please feel free to go to the following webpage: Texas Patent Infringement Lawsuits, Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Intellectual Property Infringement Lawsuits, & Texas Business Litigation Lawsuits.

 

Fake Military Electronic Components, Low Quality Electronic Parts, and Defective Electronic Components Used by Military Defense Contractors in Building War Planes, Missile Defense Systems, Military Equipment, and other Military Supplies Can Cause Failure of Military Weapons and Military Equipment as well as be the Basis for Military Procurement Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits and FCPA Whistleblower Lawsuits by Military Contractor Fake Electronic Component Procurement Fraud Lawyer, False Certification Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, and Military Electronic Part Supply Chain Fraud Lawyer Jason Coomer

Fake Military Electronic Components, Low Quality Electronic Parts, and Defective Electronic Components Used by Military Defense Contractors in Building War Planes, Missile Defense Systems, Military Equipment, and other Military Supplies Can Cause Failure of Military Weapons and Military Equipment as well as be the Basis for Military Procurement Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits and FCPA Whistleblower Lawsuits by Military Contractor Fake Electronic Component Procurement Fraud Lawyer, False Certification Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, and Military Electronic Part Supply Chain Fraud Lawyer Jason Coomer

Fake electronic parts and other manufactured components and ingredients from China, Mexico, India, and other emerging countries are becoming a problem for the United States military, military contractors, health care providers, and government contractors that sell and certify products to the United States or other government entities.  By using cheaper electronic parts from China, India, Mexico, and other countries to fulfill government contracts, the military contractors are able to make larger profits, but can often be given fake electronic components or substandard electronic components.  As a result these military contractors use defective military electronic components, defective military electronic parts, and defective military equipment parts in war planes, missile systems, and other military equipment.  Failure of these electronic components can cause catastrophic damages and result in failure of essential military weapons and military equipment.

Whistleblowers that have independent knowledge of military electronic component supply chain procurement fraud and false certification of electronic components that is being committed against the government by government contractors and subcontractors can blow the whistle on the military procurement fraud and if they are the first to provide notice of the fraud can recover a large financial reward for helping the government identify and stop procurement fraud.

Over a Million Fake Components Have Been Used by Government Contractors In United States War Planes Many of these Fake Part Came from China

"The US Senate Armed Services Committee said its researchers had uncovered 1,800 cases in which the Pentagon had been sold electronics that may be counterfeit.  In total, the committee said it had found more than a million fake parts had made their way into warplanes such as the Boeing C-17 transport jet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J 'Super Hercules'.  It also found fake components in Boeing's CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter and the Theatre High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile defence system. 'A million parts is surely a huge number. But I want to repeat this: we have only looked at a portion of the defence supply chain. So those 1,800 cases are just the tip of the iceberg,' said Senator Carl Levin. In around seven in 10 cases, the fake parts originated in China, while investigators traced another 20 per cent of cases to the United Kingdom and Canada, known resale points for Chinese counterfeits." US weapons 'full of fake Chinese parts' Thousands of United States' warplanes, ships and missiles contain fake electronic components from China, leaving them open to malfunction, according to a US Senate committee.

Military Contractor Fake Electronic Component Whistleblower Lawyer, Mexico Electronic Component Manufacturer Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Military Contractor Defective Military Electronic Part Mexico Manufacturer Whistleblower Lawyer, Military Contractor Military Electronic Part China Manufacturer Fraud Lawyer, Military Contractor Procurement Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Defense Contractor False Certification of Electronic Components Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, and International Defense Contractor Procurement Fraud Qui Tam Lawyer

Whistleblowers that have independent knowledge of military electronic component supply chain procurement fraud committed against the government by government contractors and subcontractors should blow the whistle on the defense contractor military procurement fraud including fake electronic component being used in war planes, military weapons, and other military equipment.  If the whistleblower is the first to provide proper notice and evidence of the fraud, the whistleblower can recover a large financial reward for helping the government identify and stop procurement fraud.

Please feel free to follow the below links for more information on exposing defense contractor supply chain procurement fraud, defective military equipment fraud, military electronic component fraud, military procurement fraud, and other government contractor procurement fraud: Defense Contractor False Certification of Electronic Components Whistleblower Reward Lawyer and International Electronic Component Manufacturer Fraud Defense Contractor Procurement Whistleblower Reward Qui Tam Lawyer.

Pancreatic Cancer Risk: Persons Taking Januvia and Janumet Should Be Aware of Pancreatic Cancer Danger and Consult Their Physician Regarding Potential Pancreas Cancer Risks by Texas Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Januvia Pancreatitis Lawyer, Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer and Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Pancreatic Cancer: Persons Taking Januvia and Janumet Should Be Aware of Pancreatic Cancer Danger and Consult Their Physician Regarding Potential Pancreas Cancer Risks by Texas Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Januvia Pancreatitis Lawyer, Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer and Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women and is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer. The diabetes drugs, Januvia and Janumet, may cause an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in patients using Januvia. If you have lost a loved one from Pancreatic Cancer or have suffered acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, accute necrotizing pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer; and have been using Januvia, please report the adverse action to the prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.  For more information on this topic, please feel free to contact Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Januvia Cancer Lawyer, and Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer Jason Coomer, or use our online submission form. 

The Diabetes Drug Market is Over $40 Billion Each Year and Growing Rapidly Januvia and Janumet had Annual Sales of $4.7 Billion in 2011

More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, including about 30 million Americans.  In 2010, the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to have reached 285 million and predicted to reach 438 million in 2030. The corresponding figures for North America were 37.4 million in 2010 and 53.2 million by 2030 and in Europe 55.2 million in 2010 and 66.2 million in 2030.  The global market for products in the management of diabetes currently stands at $41 billion and is on pace to grow to over $114 billion by 2018.

In 2011, Januvia annual sales rose 39%, to $3.3 billion, from $2.4 billion the year before and $1.9 in 2009. Januvia along with its sister drug Janumet (a combination of Januvia and metformin) has combined for sales of $4.7 billion for 2011.  Sales of Januvia and Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) is approved in all major markets and have outdone initial estimates for the drugs. 

Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) is approved in all major markets and is the first in a new class of diabetic drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.  It is approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

FDA Information on Sitagliptin (marketed as Januvia and Janumet)

[09-25-2009] FDA is revising the prescribing information for Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitagliptin/metformin) to include information on reported cases of acute pancreatitis in patients using these products.

Sitagliptin, the first in a new class of diabetic drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Eighty-eight post-marketing cases of acute pancreatitis, including two cases of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis in patients using sitagliptin, were reported to the Agency between October 16, 2006 and February 9, 2009. Based on these reports, FDA is working with the manufacturer of sitagliptin and sitagliptin/metformin to revise the prescribing information to include:

Information regarding post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including the severe forms, hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Recommending that healthcare professionals monitor patients carefully for the development of pancreatitis after initiation or dose increases of sitagliptin or sitagliptin/metformin, and to discontinue sitagliptin or sitagliptin/metformin if pancreatitis is suspected while using these products. Information noting that sitagliptin has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Therefore, it is not known whether these patients are at an increased risk for developing pancreatitis while using sitagliptin or sitagliptin/metformin. Sitagliptin or sitagliptin/metformin should be used with caution and with appropriate monitoring in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit Information, Januvia Pancreatitis Lawsuit Information and Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawsuit Information

Between October 16, 2006 and February 9, 2009, the FDA received 88 post-marketing cases of acute pancreatitis, of which 66 required hospitalization. The FDA review also found that in over half of these cases, the patient’s pancreatitis resolved once Januvia was discontinued. While diabetics are more vulnerable to developing pancreatitis than those without the disease, it does appear that taking Januvia can potentially increase that risk. And, if pancreatitis becomes chronic, the inflammation of the pancreas will alter its normal structure and functions.

Pancreatic Carinoma, Pancreatic Cancer, and Cancer Pancreas

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women and is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer. This year approximately 45,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 38,000 will die from it.

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose, and the diagnosis is often made late in the course of the disease.  Early detection of pancreatic cancer is essential and will greatly improve a person's chances of surviving the disease. As such, people that have taken Byetta, especially those with symptoms of weight loss, dark urine and clay-colored stools, back pain, and jaundice, should seek advice from a qualified medical professional as to if they may have pancreatic cancer and what symptoms they should be aware of to detect any early onset of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer, Exocrine Pancreas Cancers (Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma) and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancers

The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach and in front of the spine above the level of the belly button. The pancreas performs two main functions:  1) it makes insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and 2) it makes enzymes. The pancreas makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that help the body absorb foods, especially fats.  The pancreas is made of Exocrine cells and Endocrine cells.  Exocrine cells are cells that produce a pancreatic juice that includes enzymes which aid in the digestion of food in the small intestine, breaking up proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

The most common kind of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic adenocarcinoma and includes about 90% of the cases of pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a cancerous overgrowth of exocrine pancreatic cells and is unfortunately commonly undetected until it is too late for the patient.  Pancreatic adenocarcinoma because of late detection can often result a fatal diagnosis with very limited survival time. Other forms of exocrine pancreas cancer include: intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), adenosquamous carcinomas, acinar cell carcinomas, mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, signet ring cell carcinomas, hepatoid carcinomas, colloid carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, pancreatoblastomas, and undifferentiated carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells.

Endocrine cells are clustered in small groups (called the Islets of Langerhans) scattered throughout the pancreas. These endocrine cells produce important hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.  The hormones called insulin and glucagon help your body control blood sugar levels. Tumors can also occur in these cells, but they are called islet cell tumors and are rare.

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. However, it is more common in people with diabetes and people with long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis).  It is also thought that the use of Byetta can cause pancreatitis resulting in pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include: dark urine and clay-colored stools, fatigue and weakness, jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes), loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea and vomiting, pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen, back pain, blood clots, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Pancreatic cancer is often not detected early on and is often advanced when it is first found.  As such, ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with this cancer will not be alive 5 years later.  Some patients have pancreatic cancer that can be surgically removed are cured. However, in more than 80% of patients the tumor has already spread and cannot be completely removed at the time of diagnosis.  In the few cases where pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard surgical procedure to remove pancreatic tumors is called a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy). This surgery should be done by an experienced surgeon and at a medical center that performs the procedure often. Some studies suggest that the Whipple procedure is best performed at hospitals that do more than five of these surgeries per year.

When the tumor has not spread out of the pancreas, but cannot be removed, radiation therapy and chemotherapy together may be recommended. When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard chemotherapy drug is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be used. Gemcitabine can help about 25% of patients.

Patients whose tumor cannot be totally removed, but who have a blockage of the tubes that transport bile (biliary obstruction) must have that blockage relieved. There are two approaches including surgery and placement of a tiny metal tube (biliary stent) during ERCP.

Managing pain and other symptoms is an important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Palliative care tams and hospice can help with pain and symptom management, and provide psychological support for patients and their families during the illness.

Acute Pancreatitis, Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis, Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that occurs over a short period of time. The pancreas is a digestive organ behind the stomach that secretes essential enzymes needed for the digestion of certain foods, including fats, carbohydrates and proteins. During an episode of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, several symptoms relating to digestion and abdomen may occur.  In severe cases, the person may experience confusion, difficulty breathing, or respiratory failure.  The person may also fall into a coma.

The severity of acute pancreatitis may range from mild abdominal discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. However, the majority of people with acute pancreatitis (more than 80%) recover completely after receiving the appropriate treatment.  In very severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation. Severe pancreatitis can also create conditions which can harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

The warning signs of pancreatitis include: 1) Upper abdominal pain that radiates into the back. Patients may describe this as a "boring sensation" that may be aggravated by eating, especially foods high in fat. 2) Swollen and tender abdomen 3) Nausea and vomiting 4) Fever  and 5) Increased heart rate.

Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas. This leads to death of pancreatic tissue and the formation of lesions, causing extensive bleeding. Necrotizing pancreatitis is a serious health condition where a person's pancreas is inflamed and bleeding. In Necrotizing Pancreatitis patients, there is inflammation and tissue death, with the pancreas destroying itself.  Whereas in Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis patients, the pancreas is bleeding.  Both are serious conditions and should be treated immediately.

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If you have lost a loved one from Pancreatic Cancer or have suffered acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, accute necrotizing pancreatitis, or pancreas cancer; and have been using Januvia, please report the adverse action to the prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.  For more information on Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits, Januvia Cancer Death Lawsuits, or Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawsuits, please go to the following webpage: Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit, Januvia Cancer Death Lawsuit, or Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawsuit Information.

Pharmaceutical World Sales Increase to Over $880 Billion Per Year Including Large Sales Increases in the "Pharmering Countries" by International Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer and International Adulterated Drug Whistleblower Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Pharmaceutical World Sales Increase to Over $880 Billion Per Year Including Large Sales Increases in the "Pharmering Countries" by International Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer and International Adulterated Drug Whistleblower Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Every year over $4.1 trillion (US dollars) is spent worldwide on health services including approximately $850 billion (US dollars) that is spent in the pharmaceutical market on drugs and medications.  In 2011, it is estimated that global pharmaceutical sales are expected to grow by 5% to 7% to around $880 billion.  This growth in sales is led by the 17 so-called "pharmerging countries," which include China, Brazil, Russia, India, Venezuela, Poland and the Ukraine.  These "pharmerging countries", are forecast to see their pharmaceutical spending grow at a 15% to 17% rate in 2011, to between $170 billion and $180 billion overall.

Eight pharmerging countries are amongst the top 20 world pharmaceutical markets, and China is one of the “top three” or will be in the near future.  A few high-profile pharmaceutical companies have been successful in gaining a foothold in these pharmering countries.  These footholds include Abbott’s acquisition of Piramal Healthcare in India — a deal that could potentially make the US giant the top player in this country.  Bayer's and Novartis' investments in China including Novartis'  commitment to invest $1 billion USD in R&D in China and its $125 million USD investment to buy 85 percent stake in a privately held vaccine company.  Pfizer has made inroads into the Russian health care system with a discount-card system in Russia  Sanofi Aventis has purchased Medley, Brazil’s third-largest pharmaceutical company.  GSK and Lilly have also announced anticipated doubling their revenue in emerging markets by 2015.

It is estimated that approximately 10 to 25% of public health care procurement spending including drug contracts, medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and medical devices is lost to corrupt and fraudulent acts including adulterated drugs.  As such, there is an international movement to reward pharmaceutical professionals and health care professionals that expose fraudulent and corrupt practices that cost hundreds of billions of dollars and cost lives.  This international movement includes SEC Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits and traditional Qui Tam False Claims Act Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits.   

Increased Competition and Expansion in the Pharmaceutical Industry Creates Opportunity for Increased Corruption in Pharmaceutical Procement  and Expands the Opportunity for Fraud in Pharmaceutical Drug Supply Chains that can create Dangerous Adulterated Drugs

Included in this globalization of the pharmaceutical industry is a shift in many international pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chains where raw material supplies for pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and medical equipment that were traditionally from the United States and Europe are now produced in from China and India as well as other emerging countries.  This manufacturing shift create has created an environment where adulterated ingredients to pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and medical devices may be used in the manufacturing of these products and can create dangerous and defective drugs, medical supplies, and medical devices being purchased by governments and given to patients. 

International Pharmaceutical Supply Chains Include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical Intermediate Manufacturers, and Pharmaceutical Excipient Manufacturers All of Which Can Cause Adulterated and Dangerous Pharmaceuticals if Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Fraud Occurs

Pharmaceutical suppliers of raw materials to the pharmaceutical industry include suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and excipients.   It is the United States Food and Drug Administration's expectation that current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) be used for the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding (i.e., storage) of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and excipients.  Further, the FDA recommends that laboratory controls should include the establishment of scientifically sound and appropriate specifications, standards, sampling plans, and test procedures to ensure that raw materials, intermediates, APIs, and containers conform to established standards of quality and purity.

International Adulterated Drug Supply Chain Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, International Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Medicine Supply Chain Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, Medicine Supply Chain Fraud Lawyer, and Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawyer

International Whistleblowers along the pharmaceutical supply chain and other health care professionals are being offered large potential rewards to blow the whistle on adulterated pharmaceutical ingredients, adulterated medicine, adulterated drugs, contaminated medical supplies, and defective medical devices.  These whistleblower rewards can come from SEC Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits and traditional Qui Tam False Claims Act Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits.  For more information on these potential whistleblower rewards, feel free to go to the following web pages: International Adulterated Drug Supply Chain Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits, Drug Safety Fraud Qui Tam Adulterated Drug Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits, Off-Label Pharmaceutical Medicare Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits and Drug Procurement Illegal Kickback Lawsuit

Austin Sees Increase in Fatal Pedestrian Automobile Accidents

The Texas Driver's Handbook is very clear that pedestrian's have the right of way on Texas roads.  It warns drivers to avoid turning their vehicles into a deadly weapon and to always be aware of any pedestrians.  This rule is especially true when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk or in a schooling crossing.  In these situations, pedestrians always have the right of way.

Increased number of auto-pedestrian fatalities in Austin arouses concern

Austin Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Information

What GCs Should Know About the Achilles Heel of Anti-Bribery Law

What GCs Should Know About the Achilles Heel of Anti-Bribery Law

International Whistleblowers Are Receiving Large Rewards for Exposing Government Procurement Bribe Schemes and other Government Corruption by International Government Procurement Bribe Whistleblower Lawyer, International Procurement Contract Bribe Lawyer, and International Procurement Illegal Kickback Whistleblower Attorney Jason S. Coomer

Worldwide government purchasing or government procurement is estimated to be over $10 Trillion each year.  Of this large amount of government purchasing, it is estimated that as much as 20% may be through illegal bribes, kickbacks, and other illicit payments.  Government procurement spending includes military spending; public works projects; public health care (pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, & hospitals); ports, transportation, & roads; mining and oil extraction; power grid and stations; education; law enforcement; and sanitation services.  Because of the vast amount of money spent by governments on government procurement, there are many different types of government procurement illegal bribery schemes, illegal kickback schemes, and other illicit payment schemes that have been created to steal money from the public at the expense of a country's citizens.

For more information on Exposing Government Corruption and Illegal Government Purchasing Kickbacks, please feel free to go to the following web page on International Whistleblower Government Procurement Reward Bounty Actions.

International Medicine Procurement Illegal Bribe Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Medicines Supply Chain Bribe Whistleblower Lawsuit, and International Medicine Procurement Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawsuit Information by International Medicine Procurement Illegal Bribe Whistleblower Lawyer, Drug Procurement Contract Bribe Lawyer, and International Medicines Illegal Kickback Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

International Medicine Procurement Illegal Bribe Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Medicine Supply Chain Bribe Whistleblower Lawsuit, Drug Procurement Illegal Kickback Lawsuit, Pharmaceutical Representative Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, and Drug Representative Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawsuit Information by International Medicine Procurement Illegal Bribe Whistleblower Lawyer, Drug Procurement Contract Bribe Lawyer, and International Drug Representative Illegal Kickback Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

 

Every year over $4.1 trillion (US dollars) is spent worldwide on health services including approximately $750 billion (US dollars) that is spent in the pharmaceutical market on drugs and medications. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 25% of public health care procurement spending including drug contracts, medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and medical devices is lost to corrupt and fraudulent acts.  These acts include government official bribes, illegal kickbacks, and other illicit payment and fraud schemes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the term "medicines chain" to be the steps that are required for the creation, regulation, management and consumption of pharmaceuticals.  In other words it is the medication supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry from creation to end user. According to the World Health Organization, corruption is common in the international pharmaceutical sector and occurs throughout all stages of the medicines supply chain, from research and development to dispensing and promotion.  These unethical and corrupt practices in the medicines supply chain can take many forms such as falsification of evidence, false certification of adulterated drugs, import false certifications, export false certifications, conflicts of interest, and illegal bribe and kickback schemes. 

As such, the World Health Organization and many other international public health organizations are seeking public policy changes under the umbrella of good governance initiatives within the medicines chain to reduce government corruption and optimize public health outcomes.  Some proposed public policy changes that can help reduce corruption and fraud in the pharmaceutical medicines chain include: 1) protection of international medicines supply chain whistleblowers; 2) offering financial incentives to international medicines chain whistleblowers; 3) passage of legislation and regulation for drug quality control and official certifications to monitor the transport of medications including the export and import of medicines throughout world and along international medicines supply chains; 4) increased enforcement mechanisms for violations of existing pharmaceutical laws and regulations; and 5) increased resources for conflict of interest management and checks to ensure key people in the medicines chain are not accepting illegal bribes, kickbacks, and other illicit payments.

In response to these good governance initiatives, the international community including the United States, United Kingdom, and many other countries have enacted new anti-bribery and anti corruption laws that will enable persons with knowledge of international medicines supply chain fraud and corruption to expose the illegal acts and reap rewards from blowing the whistle, while being protected from potential retaliation from the wrong doers.

While there are an increasing number of reported cases of corruption in the medicines chain, much unethical practice has historically gone unreported.  This is changing as new whistleblower protections and whistleblower financial incentives are coming into place to help overcome  institutionalized corruption in the pharmaceutical medicines chain and to provide protection for courageous whistleblowers that want to change the institutionalized corruption that is damaging their countries.

Because medicines typically change hands several times in the medicines chain between the drug manufacturer and patients, the large number of steps in the medicines chain allows numerous opportunities for unethical practices to take place.  Therefore increased regulations and laws throughout the medicines chain including manufacturing quality assurances, export regulations and inspections, import regulations and inspections, health care provider regulations and inventory policies, and patient protections are needed.  Fortunately, the new international whistleblower laws will allow international whistleblowers with specialized knowledge of the corruption to blow the whistle on fraud, false certifications, and illicit payments that are occurring throughout the medicines chain.     

A lack of transparency and accountability within the medicines chain can also contribute to unethical practices and corruption.  Therefore increased enforcement mechanisms are needed for violations of existing pharmaceutical laws and regulations.  These enforcement mechanisms include "SEC Bounty Actions" that allow private citizens to work through international medicines supply chain whistleblower reward lawyers to expose significant fraud and obtain large bounties for successful prosecution of pharmaceutical illicit payment schemes.  Ideally, these international medicines supply chain whistleblower reward actions will track fraud and corruption to the root causes and help reform corporate corruption of public health care systems.  Through international pharmaceutical representative whistleblowers, international drug executive whistleblowers, foreign government official whistleblowers, health care provider whistleblowers, and other medicines supply chain whistleblowers, the international community can efficiently identify, expose, and remedy medicines chain corruption.

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International whistleblowers can recover large amounts of money for exposing international medicine procurement kickbacks, medicines supply chain bribes, and other violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  As such, pharmaceutical representatives, international drug executives, government officials, physicians, health care providers, community activists, and other persons, who are the original source of specialized knowledge of international drug company bribes, international pharmaceutical company illegal kickback schemes, public health medicine procurement bribery schemes, and other illicit payments for drug procurement, medical device procurement, medication, pharmaceutical, and medical equipment contracts.  

For more information on  Public Health Care Procurement Bribe Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits, please feel free to go to the following web page on International Medicine Supply Chain Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, International Drug Representative Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Drug Contract Bribe Whistleblower Lawsuit, Medication Contract Illegal Kickback Lawsuit, Pharmaceutical Representative Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, and Drug Representative Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawsuit Information. 

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Foreign multinational corporations investing in the People's Republic of China and Chinese multinational corporations investing in other countries can often be held accountable when they violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery laws.  These laws prevent government corruption including illegal payments to customs agents, bribes for construction contracts, illegal kickbacks for regulatory approval, and other illegal business practices.  Through the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), whistleblowers are encouraged to step up and confidentially report corruption.  Under new whistleblower protections, these Chinese whistleblowers and multinational corporation whistleblowers can confidentially report violations through a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawyer and receive large financial rewards for being the first to properly expose significant government corruption. 

 

China's Emerges as an Economic Superpower through International Trade, Modernizing Chinese Ports & Distribution Systems, Logistics Parks, and Allowing Foreign Investment

The People's Republic of China (PRC) has a population of over 1.3 billion and is the most populous state in the world.  The Communist Party of China governs the People's Republic of China and exercises control over 22 provinces (23 provinces if Taiwan is included), five autonomous regions, four directly controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and two mostly self-governing special administrative regions (SARs), Hong Kong and Macau. Because of this government control of Chinese industries, bribery of Chinese officials, Chinese government bribes, and illegal kickbacks to Chinese customs agents and Chinese regulatory agents are more common. 

The capital city of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is Beijing.  Since the introduction of market-based economic reforms in 1978, China has become the world's fastest-growing major economy.  Since the 1980s, the People's Republic of China has used international trade and foreign investment to emerge as an economic superpower.  From 2001 to 2010, China's international trade imports and exports increased from about $500 billion per year to approximately $3 trillion per year.  A large part of this rapid expansion can be attributed to foreign direct investment that has surged into China.  As of 2012, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has become the world's second-largest economy by both nominal GDP and purchasing power parity (PPP), and is also the world's largest exporter and second-largest importer of goods.

China has spent large amounts of money to construct and modernize approximately 160 Chinese ports including about 50 coastal ports and 110 inland river ports. These ports are an essential part of the development of China's massive import and export international trade.  By investing billions of dollars in these ports, China had been able to drastically increase the total handling capacity of harbors along China’s coast as well as continuously expand its import and export businesses. 

The Modernization of Chinese Ports & Distribution Systems by Allowing Foreign Investment has Greatly Expanded China's Ability to Import and Export Goods as well as Develop Manufacturing Industries

This Chinese import and export network is formed around three major harbor areas: 1) The Bohai Sea area of northern China (including Beijing) is serviced by the ports of Tianjin, Dalian and Yantai; 2) the Yangtze River Delta area includes the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo; and 3) the Pearl River Delta in southern China includes the ports of Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. These ports have experienced tremendous growth and expansion over the last decade and have helped China increase its international trade.

To help develop Chinese ports, the Chinese government has encouraged foreign direct investment into port modernization programs.  By bringing in foreign investments including resources and technology, the Chinese government has been able to successfully expand international trade including imports and exports.  Through liberalization of foreign investment restrictions in the modernization of Chinese ports, the Chinese ministries have been able to improve international trade and port logistics  including in the areas of transportation, freight forwarding, storage, warehousing, and port management.

China's largest and busiest ports include Port of Hong Kong, Port Shanghai, Port of Shenzhen, Port of Guangzhou, Port of Qingdao, Port of Dalian, Port of Lüshunkou, Port of Jiuzhou, Port of Suzhou, Port of Xiamen, Port of Ningbo, and Port of Tianjin.  This thriving network of Chinese ports have seen modernization and logistical technology used to greatly increase China's ability to import and export goods leading to economic prosperity.

However, with this expansion on imports and exports has come fierce competition for Chinese business and huge profits that can be obtained through government corruption and illegal bribes.  These violations include violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by Multinational Corporations, their wholly owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and agents.  These complicated business structures commonly create elaborate bribery schemes to obtain and retain Chinese business including bribing public officials and customs agents to circumvent container certification, legal customs, import requirements, and other legal requirements.  These illicit payments are often paid through an elaborate kickback scheme where employees and agents of large multinational corporation or their wholly owned subsidiary falsely characterize illicit payments to public officials as commissions or other expenses.  Many of these illicit payments are made through foreign banks and are actually kickbacks paid to government officials.

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There is a worldwide effort by the international community to crack down on government corruption, illegal kickbacks, and illegal bribes.  This effort includes initiatives by the United States to identify and prosecute illegal bribery schemes of government officials.  To identify hard to detect bribery schemes, the United States Securities Exchange Commission is offering large bounties (whistleblower rewards) for persons with specialized knowledge of systematic bribes and complicated bribery schemes.  These large economic incentives are designed to encourage import export experts, customs experts, logistics experts, and other persons aware of complicated import and export bribes and government fraud to step up and become a confidential import export bribe whistleblower, customs fraud whistleblower, logistics whistleblower, and other international trade whistleblower. 

The United States Bounty Actions are set up under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).  The FCPA applies to “issuers” (U.S. and foreign companies listed on U.S. securities exchanges and their employees); “domestic concerns,” which run the gamut of business entities organized under U.S. laws or with their principal place of business in the United States; the officers, directors, employees, and agents of those U.S. business entities (irrespective of nationality); U.S. citizens; U.S. resident aliens; “any person,” including all foreign persons, who commit an act in furtherance of a foreign bribe while in the United States, and U.S. businesses and nationals acting abroad. A Company must require all of its affiliated companies and all of their employees to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

For information on specific Chinese Ports and more information on China Import Bribe Whistleblower Actions and China Export Bribe Whistleblower Actions, please go to the following web pages on China False Container Certification Bribe Lawyer, China Export Bribe Lawyer, China Port Official Bribe Lawyer, Chinese Government Official Illegal Payment Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, and China Customs Agent Bribe Lawyer Information and China International Business Bribe Bounty Lawyer, China Import Export Bribe Lawyer, and China Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Violation Lawyer Information.