Bush Signs Law Cracking Down on Online Pharmacies

[aozen...@actmissouri.org]

October 14, 2008
News Summary from JoinTogether.org

A new law intended to crack down on shady online prescriptions bans
pharmacies from dispensing drugs unless a doctor has examined the
patient in person before writing scrip.

The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 9 that the measure signed into
law by President George W. Bush is intended to make it easier to
prosecute rogue online pharmacies that accept prescriptions for
controlled drugs written by affiliated physicians who only consult
with patients over the Internet or phone, if at all. Some shady
pharmacies only require patients to fill out an online form to get
drugs, and employ doctors to approve hundreds of prescriptions daily.

Legitimate online pharmacies, like those run by CVS and Walgreen,
already require in-person exams to fill prescriptions.

"This is really making explicit what has been implicit," said Sen.
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the bill's lead sponsor. "We've tried to
close this loophole by essentially addressing this problem of
controlled substances being sold without any medical oversight or
prescription."

The measure won't have any impact on overseas pharmacies, however, and
also does not apply to non-controlled drugs.

Relatively few patients get controlled drugs online, but those who do
use Internet pharmacies often obtain large quantities of drugs,
sometimes so they can resell them on the black market.

The legislation also requires online pharmacies to report their
practices to the DEA, provide information on doctors and pharmacy
locations, and calls for prison terms for illegally distributing
controlled drugs.