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Google Agrees to Forfeiture, Continues Steps Taken to Protect US Consumers from Internet Drug Outlets
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Google Inc has agreed to forfeit $500 million for allowing online Canadian pharmacies to place advertisements through its AdWords program targeting consumers in the United States. The department notes further that, “from 2003 through 2009, Google provided customer support to some of these Canadian online pharmacy advertisers to assist them in placing and optimizing their AdWords advertisements, and in improving the effectiveness of their websites.” Allowing these AdWords advertisements resulted in the unlawful importation of prescription drugs that were not Food and Drug Administration approved into the US, as noted in the DOJ press release. US Attorney Neronha stated that the investigation and forfeiture, “is about taking a significant step forward in limiting the ability of rogue on-line pharmacies from reaching U.S. consumers,” and that it is hoped that the case and fine will get the “attention of all those who contribute to America’s pill problem.” DOJ also explains that since 2009 Google has taken a number of steps to prevent the unlawful sale of prescription drugs by online pharmacies to US consumers, including implementing its policy that requires online pharmacy advertisers to be accredited by the VIPPS® (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices SitesCM) program. In addition, for Internet advertisers that offer only limited pharmacy services or other prescription drug-related services online, Google requires that they have been granted Approved e-Advertiser status through the NABP e-Advertiser ApprovalCM Program.
