The United States warns that most online pharmacies operate illegally and could sell dangerous or ineffective medications

Most of the world’s 35,000 online pharmacies operate illegally and may be selling dangerous or ineffective drugs, according to the US Trade Representative’s annual report.Markets are notorious” a report.

Ninety-six percent of online pharmacies were found to be in violation of the law, meaning they were operating without a license and selling medications without prescriptions. An estimated 20 new illicit pharmacy websites are created every day around the world, according to the 2024 report released on Wednesday.

“The health and safety concerns posed by counterfeit medicines are particularly concerning,” Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.

More than 30 online retailers were identified in the report as being involved in selling counterfeit products. Websites often mimic legitimate e-commerce platforms, with false claims that they are FDA-approved. The compiled report also singled out 19 countries due to concerns about counterfeit or pirated products.

Online pharmacies gained traction During the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for prescription medications was high and many patients may have been confined to their homes. Meanwhile, physical pharmacies are Close their doors Across the United States, at least 7,000 pharmacies have closed since 2019. The Associated Press reportedciting data from the University of Pittsburgh.

In October, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a ruling Public safety warning About illegal pharmacy websites that sell and ship counterfeit pills to patients who think they are purchasing real pharmaceutical drugs.

Last year, the F.D.A Warnings issued To the many online pharmacies selling suspected counterfeit products, requesting that the websites stop selling the products.