As part of a continuing mission to improve global health, the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has joined with the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP) to combat the threat posed by the illegal online sale of medicines.
“Helping to ensure the quality, integrity, safety and benefits of medicines and foods is a core mission for USP and an important tool in improving public health around the world,” said Ronald Piervincenzi, Chief Executive Officer, USP. “The illegal online sale of medicines, which can include large volume of counterfeit and substandard products, is a threat that reaches directly into the homes of consumers.” He added that studies by the World Health Organization indicate that half of the drugs sold on some Internet sites are counterfeit.
Libby Baney, Executive Director, ASOP, emphasised that effectively confronting illegal online drug sellers requires collaboration by diverse stakeholders to protect patients worldwide. Baney noted that according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, at any one time there are approximately 40,000-50,000 active online drug sellers, the vast majority of which – indeed nearly 97 per cent – do not comply with applicable laws and pharmacy practice standards, putting patients at risk.
EP News Bureau– Mumbai
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