Latin American Health Agencies Agree Regarding Online Drug Sales

Health agencies of Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Paraguay and Central America, signed a letter of intent (LOI) aiming to strengthen joint surveillance on the sale of medicines over the Internet and reduce health risk.

Health agencies agreed to create a regional observatory (Observatorio Regional) to monitor Internet medicine sales and to establish legal mechanisms to fight misleading advertising. The efforts will also include education of the public on the risks of consuming drugs that have no scientific backing.

Mexican health agency (COFEPRIS) representatives highlighted that this regional resolution to fight misleading advertising can help protect the health of 230 million consumers in the signatory countries. This strategic agreement aims to strengthen the regulation and control of drugs offered through the Internet, which often offer misleading claims and are often without health registration.

...