Attorney General Chris Carr is warning consumers about illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit medicine and potentially dangerous medications. While buying prescription medication online can be convenient and affordable, Georgians are being warned that not every online pharmacy is legitimate and some may be dangerous.
What makes counterfeit medicine so dangerous? Counterfeit medications may contain the wrong ingredients, dangerous contaminants, or deadly substances such as fentanyl, and they span the full range of medicines.
From cancer treatments, injectables like Botox, and everyday prescriptions to weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, counterfeits can be found for everything.
Besides counterfeit medicine, what other dangers exist? Some websites illegally selling counterfeits also sell expired, unapproved, or improperly stored medications that may put a consumer’s health at serious risk.
If this wasn’t dangerous enough, these websites may also steal personal and financial information.
What AG Chris Carr had to say:
- “Counterfeit medicines are a widespread problem, with some online pharmacies selling potentially dangerous products. We’re committed to protecting the health and safety of all Georgians, and that’s why we’re urging consumers to only purchase medications from a pharmacy you trust. Do your research, contact our office if you encounter anything suspicious, and always question a deal that seems too good to be true.”
What are the warning signs? Georgians are being told to avoid online pharmacies selling presicription medication without valid prescriptions, prices that are too good to be true, unverifiable addresses, and licenses that can’t be properly verified.
Further Context: Of the roughly 35,000 online pharmacies operating worldwide, about 95 percent operate illegally, and fewer than 4 percent comply with U.S. laws and pharmacy standards.
This data comes from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also warned that illegal online pharmacies are shipping counterfeit pills made with fentanyl and methamphetamine to unsuspecting American consumers who believe they are buying legitimate medications.
