Distribution of Counterfeit Drugs to US Residents Via Rogue Internet Sites Continues to Grow, Reports CNN

Topics: Counterfeit drugs

The problem of counterfeit drugs distributed into the US via rogue Internet drug sellers is growing, FDA consumer safety officers told CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, MD, as part of a special report, “FDA: Many Online Pharmacies Sell Fake Rx." About 97% of the Internet sites marketing prescription drugs are not in compliance with state and federal laws, and consumers ordering from such sites are at risk of receiving counterfeits, NABP Executive Director, Carmen Catizone, MS, RPh, DPh, told CNN. Over 60 different counterfeits of Viagra were discovered in 2012, up from the 20 fake versions of the drug discovered in 2008, noted pharmaceutical security experts from Pfizer. Margaret Hamburg, MD, FDA commissioner, noted that counterfeits may contain the wrong active ingredient, no active ingredient, or too much medicine, posing health risks to those who use them and delaying proper treatment. FDA, along with international law enforcement agencies, regulators, and other stakeholders, participated in the International Internet Week of Action and brought about the closure of over 1,600 rogue Internet drug sellers