Tamoxifen and other hormone meds can be costly, so costly that some of us turn to online pharmacies that we know little or anything about. All we know, for sure, is that they are selling meds we need, at a price we can afford.
Unfortunately, as the following press release indicates, these pharmacies may be illegal. The meds they are selling, without prescriptions, are dangerous drugs. The press release is from the Food and Drug Administration, which was published on June 27, 2013.
FDA takes action to protect consumers from dangerous medicines sold by illegal online pharmacies
The action occurred as part of the 6th annual International Internet Week of Action (IIWA), a global cooperative effort to combat the online sale and distribution of potentially counterfeit and illegal medical products. As part of this year’s international effort – Operation Pangea VI – the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, in coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, seized and shut down 1,677 illegal pharmacy websites. The effort ran from June 18 to June 25, 2013.
Many of these websites appeared to be operating as a part of an organized criminal network that falsely purported its websites to be “Canadian Pharmacies.” These websites displayed fake licenses and certifications to convince U.S. consumers to purchase drugs they advertised as “brand name” and “FDA approved.” The drugs received as part of Operation Pangea were not from Canada, and were neither brand name nor FDA approved. These websites also used certain major U.S. pharmacy retailer names to trick U.S. consumers into believing an affiliation existed with these retailers.
The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Cybercrime Investigations Unit banner is now displayed on seized websites to help consumers identify them as illegal. Here are some examples:
- http://www.canadianhealthandcaremall.com/
- http://www.walgreens-store.com
- http://www.c-v-s-pharmacy.com
“Illegal online pharmacies put American consumers’ health at risk by selling potentially dangerous products. This is an ongoing battle in the United States and abroad, and the FDA will continue its criminal law enforcement and regulatory efforts,” said John Roth, director of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “The agency is pleased to participate in Operation Pangea to protect consumers and strengthen relationships with international partners who join in this fight.”
The FDA in collaboration with other federal agencies screened drug products received through selected International Mail Facilities during the IIWA. Preliminary findings show that certain drug products from abroad, such as antidepressants, hormone replacement therapies, sleep aids, and other drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, high cholesterol, and seizures were on the way to U.S. consumers.
In addition to health risks, these pharmacies pose non-health–related risks to consumers, including credit card fraud, identity theft, or computer viruses. The FDA encourages consumers to report suspected criminal activity at www.fda.gov/oci.
The FDA provides consumers with information to identify an illegal pharmacy website and advice on how to find a safe online pharmacy through BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy.
The IIWA is a collaborative effort between the FDA, INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization, the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime, Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group of Enforcement Officers, the pharmaceutical industry, and national health and law enforcement agencies from 99 participating countries.
