US study: fewer illegal on-line pharmacies

A study has found a sizeable drop since last year - from 581 to 365 - in the number of on-line pharmacies willing to supply US residents with prescription drugs without a proper physician's endorsement. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration has released data showing that 85% of all Internet pharmaceutical sales involve products that are controlled by the DEA, compared with only 11% for general pharmacies in the USA.

The conclusion reached by the federal authorities is that the primary purpose of on-line sales is the misuse of prescribed drugs, a problem which has been the focus of considerable public discussion following the death of Oscar-winning actor Heath Ledger and the arrest of former Vice President Al Gore's son for possession of prescribed drugs (Marketletters passim). The most frequently sold products are generic versions of opioids and anxiety drugs, often in combination, the DEA notes. A publicity campaign by the federal government on the dangers of prescription drug abuse was launched with a television advertisement during the half time of the Super Bowl, the most expensive advertising slot on television.