News & Updates
The Latest on Internet Pharmacies, Supplements, Designer Drugs,
and Other High-Risk Merchants
Five Reasons Counterfeit Goods Put You at Risk
Intellectual property infringement made news last month with noteworthy enforcement and legal actions in the United States and beyond. First, a US federal complaint described an international counterfeiting ring that smuggled $472 million worth of counterfeit sneakers into the country. Then, Europol announced it had shut down more than 30,000 websites for selling fake or…
What’s Fishy About Merchants Selling Fish Antibiotics?
In an attempt to source cheaper healthcare alternatives, some consumers have turned to risky behaviors, including medicating themselves with animal drugs. One type of product sold online that has high risk for this kind of misuse is fish antibiotics. Given that fish and humans share many of the same medicines (e.g., amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and…
Q&A With Infinity Behavioral Health Services: Mastering Revenue Cycle Management in Behavioral Healthcare
Behavioral healthcare is a wide-reaching discipline that addresses the emotions, behaviors, and biology relating to a person’s mental well-being. At its core, behavioral healthcare looks at how behaviors impact a person’s health, including but not limited to issues such as mental health and substance use. As more people turn to behavioral healthcare for both preventative…
Are Synthetic Cannabinoids Behind Recent Vaping-related Lung Injuries?
As of early December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 48 deaths and nearly 2,300 hospitalizations associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. While the CDC has identified many brands responsible for the outbreak, there is still considerable uncertainty about what substance in vaping products is causing these illnesses. New research has left…
Etizolam Use Surges as Unapproved Xanax Alternative
Etizolam, also known as thienodiazepine, is related to a class of substances known as benzodiazepines. Typically sold in a powder or tablet form, etizolam has gained prominence in the illicit drug market in recent years due to its similarity to other popular benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” such as Xanax and Valium. Etizolam was originally developed for…
Don’t Get Burned By Merchants Selling Ear Candles
Ear candling, also referred to as “coning,” is a popular practice believed to draw wax and other impurities out of the ear. Despite their widespread availability, these products are unapproved medical devices that can leave both consumers and payment service providers burned. Read on to find out what these products are and the regulatory framework…
Laughing Gas: A Serious Matter for Consumers and Payment Service Providers
Nitrous oxide, a colorless and odorless gas, is becoming increasingly popular around the world as a party drug that goes by many names — “laughing gas,” “hippy crack,” and “whippets,” among others. LegitScript has noticed a growing trend of nitrous oxide appearing on websites and e-commerce platforms, being marketed in ways that indicate use for…
The Proliferation of Ketamine Infusion Clinics Presents Opportunities and Uncertainty
In a cautious win for off-label prescribing, one of the world’s most commonly used drugs for more than 50 years has recently evolved into what can only be described as a phenomenon in the treatment of severe depression and suicidal ideation. Ketamine — a psychoactive analgesic (pain-blocking) sedative — is considered by many in the…
LegitScript Study Shows Widespread Problems and Potential Dangers in Online CBD Market
Over the past six months, LegitScript’s analysts and policy experts have been conducting a research project to better understand the online CBD landscape. We’ve looked at the state of compliance, the safety and accuracy of products, and issues around payment processing. What we found in this landmark report is nothing short of disturbing for both…
LegitScript Named a Top Workplace for 2019
We’re pleased to announce that LegitScript has been named a 2019 Top Workplace in Oregon, an honor it has held three previous times, including last year. The award, which is issued by The Oregonian, is determined by feedback collected from anonymous employee surveys and analyzed by an independent third party. LegitScript was one of only…