In April 2004 (when I was an associate commissioner at the FDA), I met with representatives of the major credit card companies. The focus of these meetings was on how their transactional services were being used to facilitate illegal internet prescription drug deals. I was roundly denounced by, among others, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, as using “hardball tactics" to stop traffic in low-cost prescription drugs from Canada.” Political rhetoric aside, it was all about safety.
As it is today.
According to a story in today’s Financial Times, Search engines pressed over drug ads policy,
“Pressure is building on the major US search engines to stop showing advertising from overseas drug sellers that deliver potentially counterfeit and dangerous products to consumers in violation of federal laws. The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration are concerned that the practice is continuing despite the deaths of consumers who ordered drugs without examination by a doctor.”
It was the right thing to do in 2004 and it’s the right thing to do now.
As it is today.
According to a story in today’s Financial Times, Search engines pressed over drug ads policy,
“Pressure is building on the major US search engines to stop showing advertising from overseas drug sellers that deliver potentially counterfeit and dangerous products to consumers in violation of federal laws. The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration are concerned that the practice is continuing despite the deaths of consumers who ordered drugs without examination by a doctor.”
It was the right thing to do in 2004 and it’s the right thing to do now.
