Crackdown On Illegal Online Pharmacies Like Playing Internet 'Whack-A-Mole'

US FDA sends warning letters to online businesses operating a total of 465 websites selling unapproved Rx drugs for indications including breast cancer, chicken pox and pain relief. Warning letters were part of Interpol's annual Operation Pangea against online sales of illegal medical products; this year, US and 115 other countries made 859 arrests worldwide and seized $14m in potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals.

US FDA isn't the only national drug industry regulator attempting to curb online nonprescription sales of unapproved opioid and other Rx drugs. The violations are so rampant, Interpol is coordinating an annual worldwide crackdown.

Shutting down, or ordering a halt to online businesses selling unapproved opioid and other Rx drugs is part of FDA's...