Georgia AG warns residents about counterfeit medicines, ‘unsafe’ online pharmacies

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr put out a warning Thursday for state residents to be careful about where they buy their medicine.

In the consumer alert put out by the Attorney General’s Office, state officials said that just because you can buy medication online doesn’t mean the medication will actually be good for you.

That’s because there are some “illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit, expired, or potentially dangerous medications.”

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The consumer alert

Carr’s office said Georgians should be aware that despite its convenience and affordability, “not every online pharmacy is legitimate.”

“Some may be dangerous,” Carr’s office said, referencing how some sites illegally sell counterfeit, expired, unapproved or improperly stored medications that can put your health, or even life, at serious risk.

“Counterfeit medicines are a widespread problem with some online pharmacies selling potentially dangerous products,” Carr said in a statement. “We’re committed to protecting the health and safety of all Georgians, and that’s why we’re urging consumers to only purchase medications from a pharmacy you trust.

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Here’s how things stand, according to officials

Carr’s office said the issue is a fast-growing threat.

Illegal online drug sellers pose a “large and growing danger to public health,” with the office saying that of the tens of thousands of pharmacies operating online across the world, almost all of them do it illegally.

“Of the roughly 35,000 online pharmacies operating worldwide, about 95% operate illegally, and fewer than 4% comply with U.S. laws and pharmacy standards,” Carr’s office said, citing the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

His office said it’s important that you “do your research, contact our office if you encounter anything suspicious, and always question a deal that seems too good to be true.”

How you can make sure the medication you buy, and where you get it from, is legitimate

Carr’s office said be careful with pharmacies that:

• Sell prescription medications without requiring a valid prescription
• Advertise prices that seem too good to be true
• Lack a verifiable U.S. address or licensed pharmacist
• Are not properly licensed to serve Georgia consumers

You can protect yourself by:

• Verify the pharmacy license though the Georgia Board of Pharmacy
• Check the FDA’s site for identifying safe online pharmacies, recognizing suspicious websites
• Check any site before you buy using a free Safe Site Search tool from NABP
• Consult a licensed pharmacist with questions you may have

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