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Report price gouging to authorities during flu-vaccine shortage
Pharmacy Regulation Resource, October 20, 2004
Beware of price gouging as some may attempt to take advantage of the flu-vaccine shortage.
The federal government is working with state and local governments to monitor and punish those who take advantage of the situation by dramatically raising prices, Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said during an October 12 press conference.
Attorneys general in Kansas and Florida have filed a lawsuit against Fort Lauderdale, FL-based Meds-Stat, alleging the company proposed to sell a Kansas City pharmacy the flu vaccine for $900. The same vaccine sold for $80 on October 1, according to The Associated Press.
"Shame on the people who are price gouging," Gerberding said. "This is a reprehensible thing to be doing. We need to pull together as a country to protect our vulnerable population."
Tip: Check with your state health department to determine the definition of price gouging and the appropriate agency to which you can report any cases. Visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/flu for more information.
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