Surfing for drugs: Internet pharmacies have proliferated, offering consumers cheap, mail-order drugs. But some are less than reputable, leading states to set stiff regulations.

State Legislatures, April, 2004 by Gordon, Dianna

V-I-C-O-D-I-N Is Here! That's the subject line on tens of thousands of e-mail messages offering easy access to drugs that can be dangerous--even fatal--to the consumer who orders them. And states are doing something about it.

There are legitimate, online pharmacies that are licensed to sell prescription drugs by the states in which they operate. Users submit, via email, credit card and insurance information, as well as valid prescriptions. Ordering drugs online is convenient and saves time and trouble. Consumers also can use the Internet to comparison shop drug prices at home. For example, the cost of painkiller Vicodin (30 tablets) is $22.99 from Walgreen's online pharmacy (shipping and handling not included); $31.99 at a local store.

But there is...