Web Conference on Anti-Counterfeiting Drug Strategies Featuring the World Health Organization (WHO) and Peter Rost, December 10, 2004, 11:00 AM EST

Xtalks presents a speacial web conference on Anti-counterfeiting Drug Strategies featuring Dr. Eshetu Wondemagegnehu, the WHO's expert on counterfeit drugs and Dr. Peter Rost a physician and pharmaceutical industry executive. The event will be held December 10, 2004, 11:00 AM EST, online at xtalks.com. The event is free, but space is limited. Register at www.xtalks.com/dec_who.ashx

(PRWEB) November 9, 2004 -- It has been widely reported that counterfeit drugs make up a significant portion of the global medicines market. The United States Food and Drug Administration estimates that more than 10% of medicines in industrialized countries and up to 25% of medicines in poor countries are counterfeit. Some estimates place the annual earnings from counterfeit medicines at over US $32 billion globally.

Many experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), believe the problem will get much worse as havens for illegal drugs such as Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey continue to put out out millions of pounds worth of fake pills every year.

Concurrently, many developed countries such as the United States are debating the safety of legally importing pharmaceuticals from other developed countries such as Canada.

These are some of the issues that will be explored when Xtalks presents a special web conference on the subject of Anti-counterfeiting Drug Strategies on December 10, 2004 at 11:00 AM EST. Xtalks will be joined by Dr. Eshetu Wondemagegnehu of the World Health Organization and Dr. Peter Rost, a physician and pharmaceutical industry executive.

Dr. Eshetu Wondemagegnehu is the WHO's expert on counterfeit drugs and a recognized world leader on the subject of counterfeit medicines. Dr. Peter Rost is a physician and a vice-president at Pfizer, who has openly criticized the high cost of prescription drugs and the efforts by the pharmaceutical industry and politicians to block the importation of cheaper drug from other countries. Dr. Rost speaks as a private citizen and does not represent Pfizer in his talk.

This web conference will be of particular interest to managers and executives at pharmaceutical companies involved in compliance, regulatory affairs, supply chain, security, quality assurance, product development, and commercialization. And it will also be of interest to those involved in the regulating of pharmaceuticals.

Registration for the event is currently open and sign up is free, although space is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.xtalks.com/dec_who.ashx or call (416) 977-6555 x233.

For more information on speakers and content for this event contact: Andrew Cashin, Director of Conferences; phone: 416-977-6555 x 257; e: acashin@honeycombworldwide.com

Xtalks (www.xtalks.com) is a web-based information network that provides insight into breaking business issues through interactive digital presentations. By leveraging the best of hi-speed Internet and telecom technology, Xtalks provides a forum for interactive communication. Xtalks web conferences allow anyone with interest in a particular topic to participate in a web meeting by synchronizing their desktop computer and phone alongside industry experts. Xtalks is part of The Honeycomb Worldwide Inc. Group of Companies (www.honeycombworldwide.com), including Honeycomb Connect, an leader in executive networking, event management, web conferencing, publishing, and digital media with offices in North America and Europe.

For more information on Xtalks: visit www.xtalks.com or contact Jordan Cooperman Director of On-line Marketing at phone: 416-977-6555 x225; email: jcooperman@xtalks.com

###