Fake It Until You Can Make It?

According to the Associated Press, “The Food and Drug Administration has found at least 20 Web sites that may be fraudulently marketing products with claims that they guard against or cure swine flu.”

The FDA has also found at least 20 other sites offering products for swine flu -- including antiviral medications being sold without a doctor's prescription (including Tamiflu), dietary supplements with exaggerated claims, and flu diagnostic and protection kits.

This is what happens when public officials openly promote buying medicines over the internet. It emboldens criminals to sell their snake oil to frightened Americans.  Supporters of “safe” importation “from Canada” take note – you cannot call for “safer” drugs and foreign drug importation at the same time.

Drat that reality!

The complete AP story can be found here.

And it’s all strangely reminiscent of former Illinois Governor (and potential future felon) “Wrong Way” Rod Blagojevich’s purchase of 700,000 doses of flu vaccine from non-FDA approved sources.  By the time his purchase went through, the legitimate vaccine supply had been augmented and he refused to pay for the shipment.  (Maybe that should be added to the federal indictment?)