Diana Ernst, RPh Medical Professionals Reference
According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, nearly 95% of online pharmacies selling prescription drugs operate illegally.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning the public about the potential for receiving counterfeit medications through unverified online pharmacies.
The alert follows an announcement from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the indictment of 18 individuals who operated a network of fake online pharmacies and pill mills. Through this operation, tens of thousands of individuals in the US were unknowingly supplied with unregulated counterfeit pills, some of which were laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine.
At least 9 people who purchased these pills later died of narcotics poisoning. In the indictment, it was noted that the defendants used the online pharmacy space to their advantage by targeting people who they labeled as “disabled” and “helpless”.
According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), nearly 95% of online pharmacies selling prescription drugs operate illegally. Among the online pharmacies that were reviewed by the NABP, 96% dispensed medications without requiring a valid prescription.
Survey results published by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies Global Foundation in 2023 showed that 24% of Americans who used online pharmacies had been exposed to harmful or substandard medications. Among respondents, cost and convenience were cited as the main drivers of online pharmacy use, and both of these factors outweighed safety concerns.
Individuals who wish to check if their online pharmacy is US state-licensed can access this information through the Food and Drug Administration or use the NABP’s Safe Site Search Tool.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Potential public health risk among individuals ordering counterfeit prescription medications from online pharmacies. October 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s1002-counterfit-prescription-online-pharmacies.html
