FDA warns consumers about fake drugs sold on the internet

Today's General News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

CYBERCRIME / HEALTH HAZARDS

FDA warns consumers about fake drugs sold on the internet

APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers about fake drugs sold over the internet as the present law cannot control online distribution.

Siriwat Thiptaradol, FDA secretary-general, yesterday said consumers should avoid buying drugs via the internet because most of these drugs were bogus and contained dangerous or ineffective substances that could be lethal.

Most counterfeit medicines marketed online are for treating erectile dysfunction and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, paralysis and Parkinson's.

Sellers usually required consumers to transfer money to their bank accounts before sending the fake drugs through courier services and the post.

Some consumers complained to the agency that they did not receive anything after making payment, he said, during yesterday's seminar held to mark the 33rd anniversary of the FDA.

Dr Siriwat said the agency tried to track the source of counterfeit drugs on the net but usually failed to do so. This was because most contributors normally did not register their websites with a webmaster. In addition, the present drug bill which has been applied for over 40 years is not up to date enough to tighten the screws on fake drugs.

The FDA secretary-general said the agency was on the process of reviewing food and drug-related laws as well as those covering medical equipment and lethal substances to increase the punishments and fines for fake drug producers and distributors.

The current fine of 5,000 baht could not make them obey the law, he said, adding that those violating the law to illegally sell counterfeit drugs were willing to take the risk because of the lucrative profits they could make.

Meanwhile, checkpoints have been set up in border provinces to stem the trafficking of fake drugs.

The FDA reported that counterfeit drugs worth up to 84 million were seized this year. Most of them were smuggled in across the border.

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