Most online pharmacies are run illegally and could be selling dangerous or ineffective drugs, U.S. warns
According to the U.S. Trade Representative’s annual report, most of the world’s 35,000 online pharmacies operate illegally and may sell dangerous or ineffective drugs.infamous market” Report.
96% of online pharmacies were found to have illegal activities, that is, operating without a license and selling drugs without prescriptions. An estimated 20 new illegal dispensary websites are created globally every day, according to a 2024 report released Wednesday.
“The health and safety concerns posed by counterfeit medicines are particularly troubling,” Trade Representative Catherine Tai said in a statement.
The report pointed out that more than 30 online retailers were suspected of selling counterfeit products. These sites often mimic legitimate e-commerce platforms and falsely claim that they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The report also singled out 19 countries for concerns about counterfeit or pirated products.
online pharmacy gained attention Demand for prescription medications is high during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many patients may be confined to their homes. At the same time, physical pharmacies close the door At least 7,000 pharmacies have closed across the United States since 2019, Associated Press reportciting data from the University of Pittsburgh.
In October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both released public safety warning Information about illegal pharmacy websites selling and delivering counterfeit drugs to patients who thought they were buying genuine drugs.
Last year, the F.D.A. issue warning Requested several online pharmacies selling suspected counterfeit products to stop selling the products.
