The U.S. Commerce Department-run website STOPfakes.gov is an initiative to protect intellectual property rights in the global marketplace that offers resources to educate consumers and businesses about counterfeit products. STOPfakes.gov has included the Center for Safe Online Pharmacies, and its two ex-officio members LegitScript and the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP) as its featured pharmaceutical resources.

STOPfakes.gov provides educational resources to protect consumers, businesses and global partners from unscrupulous counterfeiters. The site provides important details and links to legal text about counterfeit trademark crime, counterfeit labeling, and criminal infringement. In addition, there are links to articles and information from government and international agencies including Customs and Border Control, Interpol, and others, on relevant news topics, how to spot fake drugs, and where to report rogue online pharmacies.

According to STOPfakes.gov, if you suspect products for sale on the Internet are counterfeit or pirated, including fake medicines, you can report your suspicions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) via the Internet. An electronic complaint form is available here. In addition, consumers can also report unsafe products to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by visiting their Website, or view resources and reporting contacts at the U.S. Food and Drug Association.

LegitScript, recently included a news release on it’s website about  being featured on the STOPfakes pharmacy homepage stating that “We are pleased to be featured on STOPfakes.gov, reflecting our mission to make the Internet healthcare sector safer and more transparent for individuals and businesses.” CSIP concurs with LegitScript’s excitement about being featured as on the STOPfakes.gov website.

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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.