Libby Baney, of the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies at the 2011 PSM Interchange

Libby Baney, advisor for the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, spoke as part of Panel 2, "Combating Drug Counterfeiting & Sales."

Ms. Baney provided some sobering statistics on the state of counterfeit online pharmacies in the US.

There are any where from 60,000 to 90,000 active online drug sellers, and NABP says that 96% are illegal - NOT in compliance in with US laws. NABP is the expert organization for legitimate medication.

How do you know what an illegal online drug seller is?

1. No prescription required. Prescription drug abuse increase and no medical supervision by doctor or pharmacist.

2. Unregulated or unapproved prescription drugs available. Counterfeit, adulterated, expired and substandard meds are available which may be dangerous and ineffective.

3. Lack of valid/required pharmacy licenses. Not really a pharmacy, it could just be a warehouse or a basement.

Patients are at risk:

1 in 6 Americans by medication online without a valid prescription (36 million people).

Between 50 and 90% of all medicines bough on the internet may be counterfeit.

A study estimates that 90% of all medications sold online worldwide may be counterfeit.

For more information, please visit: http://www.safeonlinerx.com/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Partnership for Safe Medicines
• 2011 PSM Interchange