US Agencies Find Counterfeit Drugs a Growing Danger in 2017

The Justice Department, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are concerned about Americans illegally purchasing prescription medicines from foreign sources.

According to News Channel 10, investigations are underway to protect Americans from these potentially dangerous substances. The Justice Department has been looking at the data and as more American order prescriptions drugs from foreign sources, the number of counterfeits coming into the US goes up. The DEA wants to remind the public that it is illegal to purchase prescription medicines from other countries and they have investigations underway to attempt to stop the counterfeit drug makers.

If you purchase your prescriptions from other countries, you might save some money, but you can also end up getting more than you bargained for. David Hargroder, DEA Diversion Program Manager, said, “There is no FDA approval on them. There is no oversight on these types of drugs. And a lot of them are synthetic made.” U-Save-It Pharmacist Betsy Urick said “You are thinking you are taking a medication that’s going to lower your blood pressure, but in fact it’s just inert or inactive ingredients, you are not going to be getting any benefit from that.”

If you are struggling to pay for your medications, please speak with your pharmacist. They may be able to help you find an alternative medicine that is just as effective, but won’t hit your wallet so hard.