(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have sent warning letters to 10 websites for illegally marketing opioid medications.
These 10 websites belong to four online networks. The letters the DEA and FDA sent instruct these websites to stop illegally selling opioids immediately.
This action is one of several steps US government agencies are taking to combat the current opioid epidemic.
These websites are illegally marketing unapproved and misbranded versions of opioid medications, including tramadol, according to the FDA. Opioids are medications used to treat pain.
Purchases from these websites could be dangerous for consumers. Although these medications are being marketed as real, they may be contaminated, fake or expired, making them unsafe.
Furthermore, opioids are tied to many serious risks and are only to be taken under doctor and pharmacist supervision.
Opioids carry serious risks, such as misuse and dependence, addiction, overdose and even death.
In addition, these unverified websites may steal your personal and financial information or give you computer viruses.
These four networks have received warning letters:
- Divyata
- Euphoria Healthcare Pvt Ltd.
- JCM Dropship
- Meds4U
Your local pharmacist's website is not the same as the unknown and unverified websites the FDA is warning consumers about. That means there's no concern with engaging with your local pharmacist on his or her pharmacy website.
Speak with your local pharmacist if you have any questions.
Written by Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS