LegitScript is pleased to announce that we are removing the “rogue” classification for most websites within the 121Doc affiliate network. However, these websites are still listed as “unapproved” for the reasons we describe below.

Until a few days ago, it was possible to submit an order through websites in the 121Doc affiliate network, which is located outside of the United States, with a United States shipment address. This is outside of the bounds of US federal and state laws and US drug safety regulations. 121Doc has now agreed to disable the ability of their websites to input a United States shipment address on their websites. We have confirmed that they have done this with most of their websites. Consequently, we are glad to remove their rogue classification, and will continue to monitor these websites (as we do all websites in our database). However, we are retaining their “unapproved” classification for the reasons described below.

LegitScript is primarily, but not exclusively, focused on what is legal and safe as per US federal and state laws and regulations. We designate Internet pharmacies as legitimate, unverified, unapproved or rogue in accordance with our online pharmacy standards, which are recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Those standards are primarily based on what is understood to be legal and safe in the United States.

Other countries have different laws and regulations, of course. However, if we have reliable information suggesting that an Internet pharmacy (even one operating completely legally in the United States) is operating outside of the bounds of other countries’ laws, or shipping into countries where it has not complied with their regulations, we will, at the least, give that website an “unapproved” ranking.

We are retaining that classification (“unapproved”) for most 121Doc websites at present, pending further review. However, the steps taken to bring 121Doc websites closer into compliance with US laws are encouraging. To the extent they are required in other countries, we are hopeful that 121Doc will take those steps.

Rogue Internet pharmacies, unsurprisingly, do not particularly appreciate LegitScript’s efforts to call them out on what they are doing. The latest: rogue Internet pharmacy network 121Doc is trying to silence LegitScript.

We stand by our classification of the 121Doc network as rogue. Additionally, one of the points we continue to make is: if an Internet pharmacy is willing to be untruthful in its representations to us (or to its customers), it is not unlikely that they are misrepresenting the source or quality of the drugs they sell. Read 121Doc’s email to us from earlier today closely:

Sirs,

Unless you immediately cease and desist all such activities and libelous references against our site within 48 hrs, we will have no option but to institute proceedings against you without further notice…

Let’s break this analysis down.

First, 121Doc’s email claims that they don’t ship to the United States, and are thus not violating our laws, which prohibit shipping prescription drugs directly to patients from outside of the United States in nearly all cases for safety reasons. Just today, LegitScript submitted a test order for Viagra, putting in a fake US address, and without having a prior prescription. Moreover, we used a non-existent credit card. Those are three things that would make the transaction illegal.

Second, their FAQs talk about how long shipment takes to the United States.

Third, when you arrive at the purchase page, the default shipping address is the United States. Pretty clearly, 121Doc’s statement to us the “(o)rders are not processed for customers located outside the UK or EU registered states” is inaccurate: they are offering to ship prescription drug to the United States in violation of our federal laws.

Fourth, it is not legal to dispense a prescription drug without a valid prescription. Simply filling out a pre-filled in form for the drugs that 121Doc sells, without ever been examined in person by the physician (much less one that isn’t even located or licensed in the United States), is not the basis for a valid, lawful prescription. We did not have a prescription when we submitted the prescription drug order.

Fifth, if 121Doc network Internet pharmacies are actually using UK-licensed physicians and accredited Internet pharmacies in the United Kingdom to dispense prescription drugs, we hereby issue a public invitation for 121Doc to disclose the identities of those pharmacies, and those physicians, to LegitScript, as well as to the authorities in the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe. It is perfectly reasonable to ask: if 121Doc is actually using licensed pharmacies and physicians in the UK, then what’s to hide?

All of this is consistent with our past investigations of 121Doc. Previously, we have similarly conducted test orders from websites within their network, and engaged in test chats with their “live chat” assistants. Previously, in those chats, they indicated that they were willing to ship to the United States. (Today, apparently expecting our chat inquiry and recognizing our IP address, they claimed in a chat they would not ship to the United States, but then we were immediately able to complete a test order for Viagra without a prescription and with a US-based address.)

LegitScript identifies, monitors and exposes Internet pharmacies that act contrary to the laws of where they do business, and/or engage in unethical or unsafe pharmacy practices. 121Doc is a rogue Internet pharmacy network because it doesn’t require a valid prescription as per the laws of most US states, and it sends US residents drugs that are not FDA-approved. It’s a very clear cut situation. However, we have a standing offer for 121Doc and all rogue Internet pharmacies: we will remove rogue classifications if and when the websites, and the pharmacy practices, comply with the laws and pharmacy practice standards of the countries where the website offers to dispense prescription drugs. We encourage 121Doc to begin this process.

However, if an Internet pharmacy is willing to skirt the laws where it does business, and willing to engage in deceptive behavior with LegitScript, Internet users who choose to fill their prescriptions online have every right to be concerned that the Internet pharmacy will cut corners with their safety as well.