The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is playing its part in addressing the opioid epidemic by taking steps to address illegal online sales. In a recent press release, the agency announced that it has “warned nine online networks, operating a total of 53 websites, that they must stop illegally marketing potentially dangerous, unapproved and misbranded versions of opioid medications, including tramadol and oxycodone.”
According to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “This illegal online marketing of unapproved opioids is contributing to the nation’s opioid crisis. Today’s warning letters go right to the source of this illegal activity to let online network operators know that marketing illegal and unapproved opioids directly to U.S. consumers will not go unchallenged by the FDA.” The FDA is also working with internet stakeholders to identify ways to further combat illegal online sales.