The safety and security risks of purchasing lower-cost prescription drugs from other countries "far outweigh any alleged benefits" for U.S. residents, according to a report released Monday by consulting firm Giuliani Partners for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to the report, Internet pharmacies are not regulated and widening the range of sources through which U.S. residents can purchase prescription drugs would make it more difficult to guarantee the drugs' authenticity and to determine their chain of custody. The report also found that mechanisms to electronically track prescription drugs are not yet ready for systemwide implementation. According to the report, implementing a safe system to import medications would cost billions of dollars. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R), CEO and Chair of Giuliani Partners, in a PhRMA release said, "Several credible sources have identified links between counterfeit goods, including pharmaceuticals, and organized criminals and terrorist groups. It is not difficult to imagine a scenario in which terrorist groups could use this system to either finance operations or, worse, as a vehicle of attack." PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin said that the report "underscores the dangers" of reimporting prescription drugs (CQ HealthBeat, 4/11).