Websites Selling Opioids Get FDA Warning

Several website operators recently received warning letters from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The reason? They were illegally selling opioids online.

The FDA announced that it issued 17 warning letters to website operators for violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They were accused of selling misbranded and unapproved prescription opioids online.

Opioids are a large class of pain-relieving medications. Some common opioids include methadone, hydrocodone, tramadol, oxycodone and fentanyl.

The websites included in the FDA's recent round of warning letters were accused of selling tramadol and oxycodone, among other opioids.

Opioids pose a large risk of misuse, abuse and addiction. According to 2018 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, roughly 128 people in the United States die from opioid overdoses every day.

“Those who illegally sell opioids online put consumers at risk and undermine the significant strides we have made to combat the opioid crisis,” said Donald D. Ashley, director of the FDA's Office of Compliance, in a press release. “We remain committed to using all available tools to stop the illegal sale of opioids online to help protect consumers from these potentially dangerous products.”

The FDA issued warning letters to the following websites for illegally selling opioids:

• alpharoyalpharmacy.com
• beststeroidstore.net
• bluepillmedications.com
• buydrugsmedsonline.com
• genericpharmacyusa.com
• globalpharmacystores.com
• greenrxpharmacy.com
• klasiekpharmacy.com
• lekapharma.com
• mega-pillspharmacy.com
• melanopharmacy.com
• roidsforce.com
• rxeasymeds.com
• skylimitpharmacy.com
• Thomas Meds
• uspharmacyshop.com
• xsteroids.com

Drugs that are illegally sold online may not contain the advertised substances. They might contain additional drugs that can pose serious health risks or come with incomplete usage instructions.

Taking any prescription drug without consulting with your health care provider is dangerous. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.