Latest News & Updates

• How Drugs Are Sold on the Dark Web

  

  By David Khalaf

  on August 30, 2018

    Federal authorities announced last week several arrests, charges, and guilty pleas from a joint operation dubbed “Operation Darkness Falls,” which targeted people and organizations selling fentanyl and other drugs over the dark web. Among those arrested were the operators behind the dark web username “MH4Life,” which the Department of Justice called the most prolific…

• What is Spice/K2? (It’s Not “Synthetic Marijuana”)

  

  By David Khalaf

  on August 23, 2018

  Following last week’s mass drug overdose in New Haven, Connecticut – in which more than 100 people were treated for symptoms such as vomiting, convulsing, and passing out – some may be wondering exactly what K2 and Spice are, and why this drug is called “synthetic marijuana” and “herbal incense.” These labels are misleading, especially…

• The Problem With Glucosamine Supplements

  

  By David Khalaf

  on August 15, 2018

  As a public service, LegitScript offers free limited product lookups so that people can check to see if a product they have purchased is dangerous or otherwise problematic. Frequently, we get searches for products that contain problematic ingredients such as marijuana, kratom, and SARMs. But we’ve noticed that one of the top ingredient searches on…

• LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification Expands to Include Facebook

  

  By David Khalaf

  on August 08, 2018

    I’m pleased to share the news that, starting today, Facebook will require LegitScript certification for providers of drug and alcohol addiction treatment who want to advertise in the United States. This partnership follows the official rollout of our program, which began at the end of July after an initial pre-launch phase. Now both Google…

• Operators of So-Called Canadian Pharmacy Sentenced for Distributing Misbranded Prescription Drugs

  

  By David Khalaf

  on August 02, 2018

  Last year, we wrote about criminal charges against Billy Lee, Tarn Uppal, and Tony Lee, who operated “Canadian” internet pharmacies but shipped US residents drugs that were not really from Canada. This week, the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations announced sentencing for these British Columbia residents, amounting to three years’ probation and a fine of…

• When is a Legal Dietary Supplement Illegal?

  

  By David Khalaf

  on July 20, 2018

  Most countries have regulatory authorities like the Food and Drug Administration that monitor and establish rules around food, drugs, dietary supplements, and more. These agencies have their own complex laws and regulatory standards, and they often vary substantially. What may be a legal, unregulated ingredient in one country is a prescription drug in another, and…

• Addiction Treatment Certification Nears End of Pre-Launch Phase

  

  By David Khalaf

  on July 12, 2018

    Later this month, LegitScript will officially begin the initial phase of our certification program for drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers. This aligns with the timing of Google’s implementation of its advertising policy around addiction services; advertisers with LegitScript certification will be able to request certification with Google starting later this month.   Over…

• Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Death Related to the Sale of Dangerous Chemical for Weight Loss

  

  By David Khalaf

  on July 05, 2018

  A UK man was sentenced last week to seven years in prison for the death of a woman to whom he sold the industrial chemical 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a compound abused by bodybuilders and other people for weight-loss purposes. Bernard Rebelo, now 31, was convicted of manslaughter after 21-year-old Eloise Parry, also from the UK, died…

• Report: The State of Opioid Sales on the Dark Web

  

  By LegitScript Folks

  on June 28, 2018

  This week, the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) released a report prepared by LegitScript on the state of opioids sales on the dark web. This months-long survey looked at the way in which drugs, in particular opioids, are sold on the dark web and to what extent this secretive portion of the internet is…

• E-cigarettes Remain a Pervasive Problem for Youth

  

  By David Khalaf

  on June 19, 2018

  Tobacco use among youth in the US is down, but e-cigarettes still pose the greatest challenge to reducing nicotine consumption among middle and high schoolers. These are the findings of the 2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey, released this month by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration…