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Board of Pharmacy Warns Consumers of FDA Impersonator Scam
Department of Consumer Affairs' Board of Pharmacy Warns Consumers of FDA Impersonator Scam
Scam targets consumers buying prescription medications online What consumers should know before purchasing medications over the Internet
SACRAMENTO - The California State Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are alerting the public of an international extortion scam targeting consumers who have purchased prescription drugs online. Criminals who pose as special agents with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) attempt to extort money from victims by claiming that purchasing prescription drugs on the Web is illegal. People have been threatened with legal action, jail or deportation unless they pay a "fine" ranging from $100 to $250,000. The criminals are successful when their victims are not certain of the regulations regarding purchasing prescription drugs online.
Buying prescription medications online - what you need to know
"The Board of Pharmacy wants consumers to know that purchasing drugs over the Internet can be legal, but there a number of Web sites that are not operating legally. However, there are some guidelines consumers can follow to ensure a site is legitimate," said Virginia Herold, Executive Officer for the Board. First, you will need a valid prescription, which means you have been examined by a health care provider licensed to prescribe drugs (such as a physician, dentist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant). Some Internet sites will provide you with a prescription after you fill out an online questionnaire. However, if you have not been seen by a health care provider, such a prescription is likely not legal. Second, check the legitimacy of an online pharmacy carefully before making a purchase. An Internet or mail order pharmacy can legally ship prescription drugs to California if the pharmacy is licensed to do business in California and the state where it is actually located AND you have a legitimate prescription written by a heath care provider. In addition, federal law requires any person who operates a Web site of an "online pharmacy" to obtain a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) special online pharmacy permit to offer or distribute a controlled substance by means of the Internet.
Third, the Board recommends using Internet sites accredited through the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program. These sites are board-licensed and have passed a rigorous review by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
"We urge consumers to be smart and safe when making online purchases of any kind," said Brian Stiger, Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs. "You have to know who you are dealing with to avoid scams. Make sure the business is legitimate. Oftentimes, a fraudulent online business won't have an address that consumers can use to contact the company should they have a problem after the purchase." Consumers will find more tips online at DCA's Take Charge website, www.takecharge.ca.gov.
About the California State Board of Pharmacy
The Board of Pharmacy protects and promotes the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist's care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement. The Board currently licenses over 100,000 individuals and firms. The public is encouraged to view the Board's new video on preventing medication errors, "Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Patient," at www.pharmacy.ca.gov.
About the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
DCA is composed of more than 40 boards, bureaus and other entities. It licenses and regulates more than 2.4 million professionals in more than 255 professions, including healthcare, cosmetology, construction, and automotive repair. DCA is dedicated to enhancing individual consumer access to services and resources.