FDA Targets Global Web Sites for Illegal Drugs
Working with international regulatory and law enforcement agencies in Operation Pangea XI, the 11th annual International Internet Week of Action, FDA says it targeted 465 Web sites that illegally sell potentially dangerous, unapproved versions of opioid, oncology, and antiviral prescription drugs to U.S. consumers. An agency statement says the FDA enforcement strategy was aimed at identifying the makers and distributors of illegal prescription drugs and removing the products and their sources from the supply chain. As part of the operation, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations opened several criminal investigations involving illegal online pharmacies.
Warning Letters were sent to seven different Internet networks that were operating a total of 465 Web sites offering misbranded and unapproved drugs to U.S. consumers. In addition, FDA says, more than 450 domain names were brought to the attention of search engines and the appropriate domain name registries and registrars.