FDA Takes Action Against Online Pharmacies , Over 18,000 Illegal Websites Shut Down And Counterfeit Drugs Seized

This is an on going problem on the web for a long time, and it even got into trouble with advertising.  Since that time, Google and others have cracked down on what pharmacies can advertise as well.  There were over 79 arrests made.  There are a few “legal” online pharmacies that operate out there but I think the number of illegals were largely outnumbering them.  The sales of “female Viagra” were addressed too as there is none.  The entire project involved customs and 100 countries in the crackdown.  We all remember the fake Avastin from not too long ago that got into the system via Canadadrugs, which was also a target in this sting operation. 

It is also worth a mention too that this year the DEA “take back” prescription day brought in half a million pounds of unused drugs.  Every year they sponsor a drug take back day where consumers can turn in their prescription drugs they are not using, expired or what ever the case is with no questions asked.  BD 

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The FDA, working with international regulatory and law enforcement agencies from about 100 countries, said on Thursday that it took action against more than 4,100 Internet pharmacies, bringing civil and criminal charges, removing offending websites and seizing drugs worldwide.

The move was part of the fifth annual International Internet Week of Action, a global effort to fight the online sale and distribution of potentially counterfeit and illegal medicine.

Action taken between September 25 and October 2 resulted in the shutdown of more than 18,000 illegal pharmacy websites and the seizure of 3.7 million doses of counterfeit medicines worth an estimated $10.5 million, the agency said.

Warning letters to other online pharmacies cited the sale of "female Viagra," which does not exist, and unapproved variations on well-known erectile dysfunction drugs with names like "Viagra Professional" and "Cialis Super Active."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/04/us-fda-baddrugs-idUSBRE8930SN20121004?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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