FDA Steps Up Efforts to Curb Illegal Opioids Online

A recent FDA pilot program has removed almost 30 illegal Web sites that were offering opioids for sale. “The pilot program has proven to be an effective tool in maximizing the impact of FDA's efforts to limit the illegal sale of unapproved opioids online and we are pleased to announce we will continue this collaboration to help prevent illegal online opioid sales,” according to CDER Office of compliance director Donald Ashley.

The pilot involves FDA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and three domain name registries. It has FDA notifying registries when a Warning Letter to an illegal Web site operator fails to result in the operator responding adequately within the required timeframe. “The registries reviewed the FDA’s notifications and assessed whether to take further voluntary action, including possible domain name suspensions or blocks,” Ashley explained.

The pilot is continuing as a priority for 2021, he said.