Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) Announces Four New Members
Washington, DC (September 22, 2017) – Gilead Sciences, Inc., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH), and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association have joined the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), it was announced today.
“We are thrilled that four organizations who serve such vastly different patient populations have joined dozens of ASOP Global members committed to helping us raise awareness of and combat illegal online pharmacies and counterfeit medicines, and helping us fulfill our mission – to make the Internet safe for consumers worldwide through education, research, advocacy, and policy,” said ASOP Global Executive Director, Libby Baney.
California-based Gilead Sciences, Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. “With the recent rise in counterfeit antiviral medications for now curable or manageable diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS, respectively, it is all the more important ASOP Global educates patients and providers about illegal online drug sellers and how to stay safe,” Baney explained.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, is dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
“Many illegal online pharmacy websites care only about their bottom line, not the safety of patients,” said NAMI’s Director of Legislative Advocacy, Andrew Sperling. “Ensuring that patients and families dealing with mental illness maintain safe access to medications, especially in the instance they choose to look online, is crucial.”
The National Council for Behavioral Health represents 2,900 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses or addiction.
“As the country battles the opioid abuse epidemic and other mental illnesses, joining ASOP Global represents our commitment to encouraging access to safe, legitimate and affordable medications, especially those used in the treatment and recovery process,” said NCBH Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Practice Improvement, Chuck Ingoglia.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, a national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people challenged in their family building journey reach resolution, advocates for access to care, provides support and education, and raises awareness about all family building options.
“One-in-eight couples in the U.S. face issues in conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy,” explained RESOLVE’s President and CEO, Barbara Collura. “We are pleased to be working with ASOP Global to educate these vulnerable patients and their providers about the risks associated with buying fertility medications online, since they often deal with issues related to cost or insurance coverage for these products and services.”
About the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies(ASOP Global) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to combatting illegal online pharmacies and counterfeit drugs to make the Internet safe for consumers worldwide through advocacy, research and education.