On-line pharmacy restrictions discussed

The US Senate's Judiciary Committee has heard that advertising on the Internet by on-line pharmacies has increased an estimated 70% in the past year. A number of proposals for restricting unlawful dealing in prescription drugs are being debated, although some commentators fear that restrictions will not be enforceable against criminals and restrict legitimate operations.

A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, USA, found that 84% of 300 Internet pharmacies studied did not require a prescription for drugs, and that a majority would accept a faxed copy, which could be forged or re-utilized.

Among the issues raised at the Senate Committee hearing was the alleged lack of support by the Drug Enforcement Agency in countering the activities of on-line prescription drug sales. Under the Controlled Substances Act, the DEA has the powers to take action and the agency's representatives told the Committee that they are active in doing so.