A new report from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) highlights a significant problem with illicit online pharmacies and counterfeit goods worldwide. The report details alarming findings regarding the prevalence of illegal online pharmacies, alongside a broader trend of intellectual property theft.
Nearly all 35,000 online pharmacies globally are operating illegally, posing a grave risk to consumers. These illicit operations frequently sell substandard, counterfeit, or dangerous medications, often without prescriptions or proper safety warnings. The USTR report notes that many of these sites mimic legitimate e-commerce platforms, potentially misleading consumers with false claims of FDA approval.
The report also names dozens of online retailers, primarily in Asia, suspected of selling counterfeit products. This underscores a concerning international proliferation of illicit activity. The FDA and DEA have cautioned against the inherent risks associated with purchasing prescription medications from these sites. A recent survey found nearly one in four Americans who used online pharmacies reported encountering substandard or harmful medicines.
Beyond online pharmacies, the report identifies several countries and platforms facilitating intellectual property theft. The USTR report emphasizes progress in combating counterfeiting and piracy, highlighting successful operations against piracy rings in Vietnam, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. However, challenges persist, particularly with the use of cyberlockers and "bulletproof" internet service providers, which enable the sale and use of pirated content. This underscores the need for continued international cooperation to tackle these persistent issues.
Examples of ongoing problems include social-commerce sites in China, and large business-to-business marketplaces in India, which still harbor significant amounts of counterfeit goods. While some progress is apparent, persistent online platforms continue to facilitate the sale of counterfeit products. The report also spotlights offline markets, including in Turkey and the UAE, as notorious hubs for counterfeit goods.
While acknowledging the progress made in certain jurisdictions, such as the crackdowns on counterfeit operations at Bangkok's MBK Center, the report emphasizes that widespread problems remain and require comprehensive global action. The USTR report emphasizes the significant risks associated with counterfeit goods, spanning from ineffective or dangerous drugs to the theft of intellectual property, highlighting the necessity of concerted efforts to curb these activities.
