Illegal Online Pharmacies
According to the US Trade Representative's annual report, nearly all of the world's 35,000 online pharmacies are operating illegally. Consumers using these pharmacies risk obtaining ineffective or dangerous drugs. The report reveals that 96% of these pharmacies violate laws, often lacking licenses and selling medications without prescriptions or safety warnings.
- The websites of these illegal pharmacies often resemble legitimate e-commerce platforms.
- They falsely claim approval from entities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The FDA and US Drug Enforcement Administration have issued warnings about these risks.
A survey by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies' Global Foundation found that nearly 25% of Americans using online pharmacies encountered substandard or harmful medicines.
Counterfeit Drug Operations
Federal prosecutors reported operations involving illegal drug sellers from the US, Dominican Republic, and India. They packaged synthetic opioids into pills disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, resulting in at least nine deaths from narcotics poisoning between August 2023 and June 2024.
Global Counterfeit and Piracy Concerns
The report highlights the issue of counterfeit or pirated products in 19 countries, with specific emphasis on online retailers in China and Asia engaged in illegal activities.
- Examples include cracked down operations in places like Vietnam and Brazil.
- Cyberlockers and bulletproof ISPs are problematic as they enable piracy.
Challenges and Progress in Counterfeit Goods
The report acknowledges progress in fighting counterfeit goods. Notably, US authorities collaborated with industry groups to shut down a piracy ring in Hanoi, Vietnam.
- The site had over 6.7 billion visits from January 2023 to June 2024.
Concerns with Online Platforms
Several platforms like Avito, Baidu Wangpan, Pinduoduo, Douyin Mall, and Shopee were named for hosting counterfeit goods or enabling piracy.
- IndiaMART was specifically highlighted for offering counterfeit products.
Physical Markets and Intellectual Property Theft
The report also identifies real-world locations notorious for selling counterfeit products, such as markets in Turkey and the UAE. Bangkok's MBK Centre was noted for attempting to reduce counterfeiting, though challenges remain.
