U.S. Attorney General Touches on Illegal Online Pharmacies in Speech

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently spoke about the dangers posed by illegal online pharmacies at an opiate abuse conference in Montpelier, Vermont.

Holder spoke of the importance of supporting law enforcement agencies, giving them the tools they require to stop not only drug abuse, but illegal online pharmacies as well.

Holder described the deployment of Tactical Diversion Squads as a “promising approach to choking off the supply chain.” These squads are designed by the DEA to fully utilize federal, state and local police resources.

“In 37 cities, and counting, these squads are investigating major drug diversion nodes. So far this year, they’ve been responsible for the seizure of more than $62 million in proceeds and assets, and have helped to shut down “’pill mill’ pain clinics, prescription forgery rings and illegal online pharmacies,” he said during the speech.

Holder added that in addition to supporting law enforcement efforts, legislation and policy were important in the fight against illegal online pharmacies.

“As we saw with the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, which went into effect early last year, well-considered federal efforts can work. This new law has had a significant impact on reducing the number of illegal internet-based pharmacies and, in turn, the accessibility of many drugs,” he said.

The full text of his speech is available at the US Department of Justice Website.