The Internet Drug Outlet Identification Program Progress Report for State and Federal Regulators: January 2015, recently released by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), provides a snapshot of Internet drug sites that are currently in operation. Similar to previous findings, the report underscores the need for public health initiatives to help consumers distinguish legitimate online pharmacies from rogue online drug sellers.

To gather data for the report, NABP conducted a review of information collected on websites selling medicine illegally online to U.S. patients since the association began reviewing websites in 2008. Over the last seven years, NABP has reviewed nearly 11,000 Internet drug outlets, many of which compromise public health by dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription and offering foreign and unapproved drugs. Here are some of the findings highlighted in the January 2015 report:

• 96.3% (10,521) of the sites reviewed operate out of compliance with US pharmacy laws and practice standards;
• The average percentage of “Not Recommended” sites selling drugs without a prescription is 93.4%.
• 62% of “Not Recommended” sites do not post a physical address. These sites tend to be the ones most likely to dispense counterfeit drugs.
• Of the 10,521 “Not Recommended” sites, 91% appear to have affiliations with rogue networks of Internet drug outlets, and 12% dispense controlled substances.

The report reiterates how rogue online drug sellers pose a danger to consumers, creating a need for more education and resources to help identify safe online pharmacies. View the full report with detailed findings on the characteristics of rogue websites and the list of Not Recommended sites.

NABP recommends that consumers should look for the VIPPS seal on an accredited site, as a way to find the safest sources for purchasing medicine online. At CSIP, we share these recommendations and encourage that consumers check all online pharmacy sites before they buy using our LegitScript Pharmacy Verification Tool, and educate themselves about the dangers of illegitimate online pharmaceuticals and pharmacies.

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The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and our 13 member companies have the shared goal of helping address the growing problem of consumer access to illegitimate pharmaceutical products on the Internet. Continue to read this blog for updates on CSIP’s education, enforcement and information-sharing efforts.