The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) recently released the Internet Drug Outlet Identification Program Progress Report, a quarterly report that surveys approximately 10,000 different pharmacy websites. The findings in the latest report emphasize why certain pharmacies are “not recommended” and uncovers the deceptive practices that illegal online drug sellers are using to make consumers believe that they are legitimate, safe, and trustworthy.
As indicated in the report, 97% of sites reviewed (10,181 Internet drug outlets) were found to be operating out of compliance with US pharmacy laws, and characterized as follows:
- 4,935 offer foreign or non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs
- 8,961 do not require a valid prescription
- 2,372 have a physical address located outside of the US (most rogue sites post no address whatsoever)
- 1,181 dispense controlled substances
The NABP report also cites alarming trends among fake online pharmacy operations, including sites falsely claiming to be accredited through NABP’s VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accreditation program. In addition, it explores how certain illicit sites are claiming to be Canadian; using a fake Canadian location to garner U.S. consumer trust.
The findings in the report are supported by another recent report from the US Government Accountability Office on Internet pharmacies that states that, “Many rogue Internet pharmacies seek to take advantage of this perception [of safe drugs obtained at an affordable price] by purporting to be located in Canada, or sell drugs manufactured or approved for sale in Canada, when they are actually located elsewhere or selling drugs sourced from other countries. Furthermore, some of the medicines being sold on these sites may be too strong, too weak, fake, expired, stolen, diluted, or impure.”
The recommendations in the report emphasize that deceptive practices of illegal online drug sellers, combined with the prevalence of consumers buying prescription medicine online, underscore the need for more consumer outreach. In addition, it stresses patient education as a crucial factor in the public health equation.
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The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and our 13 member companies have the shared goal of helping address the growing problem of consumer access to illegitimate pharmaceutical products on the Internet. Continue to read this blog for updates on CSIP’s education, enforcement and information-sharing efforts.