The risk of a drug overdose associated with using fake prescription medications obtained from internet pharmacies has been alerted to public health officials and healthcare providers by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These fake medications, which are regularly offered for sale through dubious online pharmacies, usually include fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is the main factor in drug overdose deaths in the US.
Fentanyl, which is up to 100 times stronger than morphine, poses a considerable risk when added in counterfeit pharmaceuticals without the user’s knowledge, leading to an increase in overdose incidents. The purpose of the CDC’s advisory is to increase public awareness of the risks involved in ordering prescription medications online, especially when they originate from unreliable or illicit sources.
According to data published by the CDC from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, approximately 95% of websites that sell prescription medicines are run illegally. These internet pharmacies are easily accessible to those who might not be aware of the possible risks because they frequently operate without the necessary licensing and may not require a prescription from a medical professional.
In a parallel event, the Department of Justice in the United States has filed charges against several illicit online pharmacies that have been supplying tens of thousands of Americans with fake prescription medications. This action highlights the increased efforts being made by law enforcement to stop the illicit trafficking of fake drugs, which has been a contributing factor in the ongoing opioid crisis.
In order to reduce the possibility of overdosing and safeguard the public, the CDC is advising people to exercise caution when ordering prescription drugs online. They also advise staying away from internet pharmacies that don’t require a legitimate prescription from a doctor, give substantial savings on prescription medications, or lack a confirmed license. These warning indicators frequently point to illicit businesses that might be selling phony or potentially harmful goods.
Concern over fake medications is becoming a bigger public health issue, particularly with the rise in popularity of internet pharmacies. In addition to increasing the risk of overdose, the availability of these fake drugs jeopardizes legal healthcare systems by permitting the use of potentially fatal treatments.
SOURCE :
ECONOMIC TIMES
