With Black Friday shopping nearly upon us, it is a good time to be reminded of the concerns of another form of “black” shopping: Black Web shopping. A recent article in Bloomberg Business News reminds us of the ongoing concern about illegal drug sales on the “black”, “dark” or “deep” web. Using software that makes the use of this subsection of the internet anonymous, rogue online marketplaces sell fake or counterfeit versions of popular medications and herbal preparations. These versions may have too much, too little, or none of the key ingredients. The question then becomes, what is in these products and how much harm (or even risk of death) can they cause?

Purchasing medications through these sources may seem like an outlandish concept, but for a number of reasons individuals can find themselves making these purchases. Whether out of desperation in battling a difficult disease or in an effort to find new ways to dabble in unhealthy substance use behaviors, the “dark” net can be a source of perceived comfort or entertainment. Purchases can even be made using anonymous digital currency (Bitcoins).

There are many organizations and businesses working to curtail this dangerous activity. The Bloomberg Business News article even highlights how the pharmaceutical industry employs former law enforcement to help find and take down counterfeit “dark” net online pharmacies. Over the past few years, progress has been made in combating these rogue pharmacies- both in the United States and around the world.

CSIP, its members, and partners in the industry are continually working to raise awareness and provide consumers and medical professionals with ways to verify online pharmacies, to report illegal online pharmacies or counterfeit pharmaceutical products, and to become educated about these issues. CSIP also collaborates with global law enforcement in support of efforts to end the threat of illegal online pharmacies.

What can you do? Look for websites with practices that protect you. A safe website should:

• be located in the U.S. and licensed by the state board of pharmacy where the website is operating
• provide access to a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions
• require a prescription from your doctor or other health care professional who is licensed in the U.S. to write prescriptions for medicine
• protect your personal information by having privacy and security policies easy-to-find and easy-to-understand.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide has more helpful information. Stay informed and stay safe. You are the keeper of your health.

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The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and our 12 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.