CSIP and its partner organizations sometimes contribute articles about the problems and issues posed by illicit online pharmacies in various media outlets. Various news and information organizations also report on the work of CSIP. This page contains collections of articles written by CSIP staff or partners about the organization, as well as stories about CSIP from the media.
Cover2Resources Podcast Highlights CSIP and MedicineSafe in Interview with CSIP Executive Director
According to the World Health Organization, “50% of all online prescription medication is actually counterfeit and is even sold by websites that hide their physical address.” Recently CSIP Executive Director, Marjorie Clifton, was interviewed by Greg McNeil of Cover2Resources on the topic of online sales of counterfeit medicines. Greg started Cover2Resources after losing his son to a heroin overdose in 2015.
During the interview Marjorie shared the risks of unregulated online pharmacies, in plain sight and in the Dark Web, and the value of locating safe online sources for purchasing medications so that consumers can better avoid counterfeit and dangerous medications. The VerifyBeforeYouBuy tool, a partnership between CSIP and the MedicineSafe Coalition was also highlighted during the podcast.
MedicineSafe Highlighted in Citizen Truth Interview with CSIP Executive Director
CSIP Executive Director Marjorie Clifton was interviewed by Citizen Truth in an effort to explore how CSIP works with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (the Partnership) to provide local communities with tools to ensure the safe use of online pharmacies. “When the opioid crisis hit they (the Partnership) were the natural partner because.. a big piece of what they’ve done for the last 30 years has been navigating addiction with families…,” Clifton told Citizen Truth in the interview.
With the rise in healthcare costs – including those of prescription medications – online health pharmacies are continuing to grow. MedicineSafe users can finding safe online pharmacies, find resources to talk their loved ones (especially children) about opioids, including heroin and fentanyl, navigate options for treatment, and access the Partnership’s 24/7 helpline to reach out to experts and other parents.
Connecticut Joins Effort to Combat Opioid Abuse
Recent media coverage by the CT News Junkie highlighted MedicineSafe, a joint effort of CSIP and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Connecticut is the second state to join the initiative; North Carolina was the first. According to CSIP Director, Marjorie Clifton, “in the first six weeks North Carolina used the program, “we got 80,000 click throughs.” MedicineSafe helps guide the public in safely purchasing medications online. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates “97 percent of online pharmacies are illegitimate and unsafe.”
The MedicineSafe website provides tools and resources that the state coalition members can distribute to schools, pharmacies, health care facilities, and community centers. It also uses geo-location to provide tailored resources and ads through Facebook, Google, and Bing to raise awareness and better target programs and services to users.