Rogue websites, posing as legitimate pharmacies, often cause public health threats. Recent studies have shown that these drug outlets frequently advertise openly through major search engines. Luckily, search engines who are members of CSIP, such as Yahoo, Google, and Bing (Microsoft), have tightened their policies to prevent these rogue sites from participating in their advertising programs. Recently, Bing made additional policy changes that make it more difficult for rogue Internet drug outlets to advertise, demonstrating the search engine’s commitment to patient safety. Those who advertise for pharmacy and health care products and services on Bing must comply with all applicable regulatory policies and local laws, and the following restrictions also apply:

• Bing limits the promotion of prescription-only drugs — which are medications that must be authorized by an approved medical professional — as opposed to over-the-counter medications.
• Advertisers may not bid on keywords relating to prescription-only medications, including prescription medications for animals, unless they are properly certified in the market they are serving.
• Ad copy must not promote the sale of prescription-only medicines.
• Advertising is restricted for any supplement that could present significant health risks to a user, including ephedra-based or ma huang supplements, herbal supplements that mimic the effect of illegal substances, and non-approved HIV home test kits.
• Weight loss and family planning products that are listed as prescription medicines must comply with the editorial policy for prescription-only medicines.

If ads violate Bing’s Pharmacy and Healthcare Products and Services Policies or if intellectual property infringement occurs, the content may be removed by Bing without advance notice. Microsoft Senior Attorney, Bill Hayden, said “These updates underscore Microsoft’s continued commitment to helping improve patient safety and ensuring that its advertisers are compliant with the law.”

At CSIP, we’re committed to continuing to work with our search engine members in support of their efforts to combat rogue online pharmacy advertisers. As a consumer, we hope you will use our educational resources and make sure your online health purchases are safe by using our partner LegitScript’s Pharmacy Verification tool, before you buy.

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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.

This item was highlighted in CSIP’s May 2015 newsletter.