Chinese-Language Web Sites Selling Counterfeits Shut Down in Coordinated Effort

September 13, 2012 11:26 AM Topics: Counterfeit drugs, Buying medicine online, and Federal regulations

United States and Chinese officials coordinated efforts to shut down 18 Chinese-language Web sites marketing counterfeit drugs and other dangerous drug products to US consumers. The China State Food and Drug Administration initiated the operation and provided information to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that helped the agency shut down the sites. The Web sites were operated by Chinese speakers and targeted Chinese consumers, including Chinese Americans, reports China Daily. The Web sites were marketing and distributing counterfeit and illegal dietary supplements, and counterfeit Viagra^® and Cialis^®, among other illegal products, Christopher Hickey, director of the US FDA’s China Office, told China Daily. Hickey noted that shutting down such sites permanently is a challenge because they can change their Web site host location and resume operation. "The problem is international and only through global cooperation can these websites be shut down and prevented from opening again,” stated Hickey.