Ciprofloxacin Ordered Online

OB/GYN News, Jan 1, 2002 by Sally Koch Kubetin

The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings to 11 foreign Internet vendors whom it accuses of attempting to capitalize on anthrax fears by offering ciprofloxacin to American consumers.

According to the FDA, the letters were sent because the agency has been unable to determine if the products being sold had been manufactured in accordance with U.S. safety and effectiveness specifications. The letters sent by the FDA warn the 11 foreign Internet vendors that the U.S. government is taking actions to halt potentially illegal drug sales that have emerged in the wake of recent bioterrorist attacks in the United States.

For example, the FDA is informing regulatory officials in the countries where the 11 "Internet pharmacies" operate about the potential violations and is seeking help from foreign authorities to stop illicit sales.

The FDA had advised U.S. Customs officials that it is acceptable to intercept shipments from the vendors.

The FDA is concerned that consumers in the United States may be harmed by prescription drugs obtained via the Internet if the products are contaminated, inactive, or wrongly dosed. Numerous other health care risks also are associated with using such products, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

For more information about ciprofloxacin, visit the Food and Drug Administration's Web site at www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/cipro/.> In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert about online products that claim to protect consumers from biological threats.

COPYRIGHT 2002 International Medical News Group

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