Warning letters have been sent to 17 website operators for illegally selling unapproved and misbranded opioids online, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The unapproved and misbranded opioids, which include tramadol and oxycodone, are being sold without a prescription and also lack adequate directions for use. The warning letters were issued to the following 17 website operators:

Products sold on these websites have not been evaluated by the FDA and carry significant risks including addiction, abuse and misuse, and potentially life-threatening respiratory depression. Consumers who purchase prescription medications such as opioids from illegal online pharmacies may be putting their health at risk as the drugs may be counterfeit, contaminated, expired, or otherwise unsafe. 

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“Those who illegally sell opioids online put consumers at risk and undermine the significant strides we have made to combat the opioid crisis,” said Donald D. Ashley, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We remain committed to using all available tools to stop the illegal sale of opioids online to help protect consumers from these potentially dangerous products.”

For more information visit fda.gov.

Reference

FDA warns website operators illegally selling opioids to consumers. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-website-operators-illegally-selling-opioids-consumers. Accessed September 11, 2020. 

This article originally appeared on MPR

Topics:

Addiction Medicine Opioids Pain Management