NADDI Releases 2016 Statistics for NPLEx System
Real-time, stop-sale technology continues to be an important tool for pharmacists and law enforcement in the fight against criminal activity
LUTHERVILLE, Md., Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of diversion of medicines for illegal purposes – applauded recent results from the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) for 2016. From January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, NPLEx successfully blocked the illegal sale of 1,420,784 boxes of medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) – an ingredient found in many common cold and allergy medications which at times can be used to make meth by criminals. As a result, NPLEx kept 3,687,635 grams of PSE off the street and out of the hands of potential criminals.
The NPLEx system, adopted by 33 states across the country, helps law enforcement in the fight against meth lab production by blocking unlawful purchases of medicine containing PSE at the pharmacy counter, in real-time, and across state lines. Further, law enforcement officers and narcotics agents are provided with valuable information such as "watch lists" that notify them via email when a suspect attempts to purchase PSE. This information can then be used by prosecutors as they build cases to put drug criminals behind bars.
Across the country, over 44,000 retailers use the NPLEx system and some states have gone further and use NPLEx to ban the sale of any PSE products to those previously convicted of a meth crime. In Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee, similar legislation was passed in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and these states experienced significant declines in meth lab seizures – a 77 percent decline in Alabama, 88 percent in Oklahoma and 69 percent in Tennessee. And, the DEA's most recent National Drug Threat Assessment indicates that state meth labs have decreased 60% between 2010 and 2015.
http://www.appriss.com/actionable/NPLEx/EOY2016.htm
"With another year in the books, once again NPLEx is demonstrating its usefulness to retailers and law enforcement," said NADDI Executive Director Charles Cichon. "Honest cold and allergy sufferers maintain access to important medications containing pseudoephedrine, but criminals are being watched and clearly getting caught thanks to the good work of law enforcement across the country.
About NADDI and Public Safety
Established in 1989, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Inc. (NADDI) is a unique membership organization whose members are responsible for investigating and prosecuting pharmaceutical drug diversion. The organization has proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement, the pharmaceutical industry and health regulatory personnel. NADDI's objective is simple: to improve the members' ability to investigate, and prosecute, pharmaceutical drug diversion. You can learn about NADDI here: www.NADDI.org
SOURCE National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators
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