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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> In general, the main problems were not including instructions or warning information, not shipping the items properly, shipping drugs that were not for the U.S. market, selling counterfeit drugs, or not sending any drugs at all. Fourteen of the 68 Web sites were under investigation: nine U.S. sites, one Canadian, and four from other foreign countries.
"The main message is that there are some risks for consumers from some Internet sites, and it may be difficult for an individual consumer to know," Crosse said.
While the report stated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration "generally agreed" with the findings and conclusions, an FDA official said Friday there still are problems.
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"There are still a lot of concerns here that the report bears out," said William Hubbard, the agency's associate commissioner for policy and planning. "It found that [Canadian internet pharmacies] were less unsafe when compared to others. That's still a lesser standard than the very high standards set here."
Asked if there was a distinction to be made between American Internet pharmacies and Canadian ones, he replied, "Generally, we've said that if you go to a licensed American internet pharmacy, you will get the same quality as at your brick-and-mortar corner store. Those that are unlicensed or operating beyond borders may not have the same quality. It's hard for the consumer to tell the difference because Congress hasn't moved any of the bills which would require disclosure."
Also applauding the report was Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Legislation recently introduced by Gregg and others would legalize importing prescription drugs from Canada but would also include provisions for tightening Internet security.
"The status quo is not acceptable," he said in a statement. "We would be irresponsible as legislators if we did not put better regulations and safety measures in place."
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