News & Updates
The Latest on Internet Pharmacies, Supplements, Designer Drugs,
and Other High-Risk Merchants
LegitScript Certification Now Recognized by Google
Google now accepts LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification for advertisers of pharmaceuticals and other healthcare-related products in the US and Canada. This means that healthcare merchants who are certified and monitored by LegitScript can advertise on Google AdWords, Shopping, and DoubleClick Bid Manager (DBM) without ads being paused or suspended for not complying with this new…
A Look Back at the “Best” of 2017: Rogue Pharmacy Edition
Every day at LegitScript, we use our unique analytical and research skills to dismantle rogue pharmacies and disrupt illicit operations around the world. Our analysts identified more than 26,000 rogue internet pharmacies in 2017. The work may sound pretty analytical, but we often find levity in none other than the rogue internet pharmacies themselves. Criminals…
Uncovering Blatant Forgeries: Rogue Pharmacies Take Creative License with Public Health
As part of LegitScript’s mission to make the internet safer and more transparent, our analysts regularly submit notifications about illicit internet pharmacies to domain name registrars. Operators of these problematic websites are welcome to appeal our designation of “rogue pharmacy.” The first step is to provide a valid pharmacy license for each jurisdiction the website…
LegitScript Emails Being Spoofed: Why You May Be Receiving Falsified Email Notifications
At LegitScript, we pride ourselves on helping to keep the internet safe. Last year alone, we worked closely with registrars to help take down more than 20,000 rogue internet pharmacy domain names in the interest of public health. Unfortunately, our line of work sometimes makes us the target of bad actors — the same people…
Deadly Fentanyl Exports: A Closer Look at Fentanyl from China
The Justice Department recently announced indictments against two Chinese nationals manufacturing and distributing fentanyl and other opiate substances in the US. This is the first time the US has indicted major Chinese fentanyl traffickers. It’s a great first step, but the DEA is playing catch-up against a problem that led to more US deaths in…
The Who’s Who of Rogue Registrars
As more registrars move toward voluntary compliance, the walls continue to close in on rogue pharmacy operators. In a world without Nanjing Imperiosus Technology Co., Ltd., whose accreditation agreement was terminated in February 2017, rogue pharmacy operators are desperate to find long-term partners to sponsor their illicit activities. In recent months, we have identified thousands…
LegitScript Pharmacy Certification To Include Probationary Status
I’m pleased to announce that LegitScript pharmacy merchant certification will soon include a new category: Probationary Status. Let me explain why we’ve created this category and what it means for our partners and for certified pharmacies. Why a probationary category is necessary. LegitScript pharmacy certification is intended to distinguish between pharmacy or telemedicine merchants that…
Mugshots: US States That Prohibit Websites From Charging a Fee to Remove Arrest Photos
Over the past decade, dozens of for-profit websites have been created for the purpose of publishing arrest records, including booking photographs — more commonly known as “mugshots.” Many of these websites make money by charging the arrestee a fee to remove the image. Is this legal? The short answer is: it depends on the state.…
Apricot Kernels: When Fruit Becomes an Illegal Supplement
Apricots are a popular summer fruit, but as a dietary supplement they can also be the pits. Acquiring banks, payment providers, advertising platforms, and others should be aware that the kernels found inside the pits of fresh apricots can contain something quite unexpected: cyanide. Some supplement merchants advertise these products as a health cure, which…
New .health Domain Extension Introduced
This week, dotHealth launched the .health domain extension. This is exciting news for the medical industry and consumers. The .health domain will help to provide an easily identifiable place for internet users who are seeking trusted health information online — similar to that of .edu (for education), .org (for non-profit organizations), and .pharmacy (for certified…