Policing the Wild West World of Internet Pharmacies

An Internet pharmacy sells medications through its Web site. Legitimate, law-abiding Internet pharmacies benefit modern healthcare in numerous ways; however, some Internet pharmacies conduct illegal and unsafe prescribing and dispensing practices that can endanger the health of the patients the pharmacy serves. Controversy exists over which regulatory body should govern the sale of prescription drugs over the Internet and how Internet pharmacies should be regulated. This Note contends that cooperation of state and federal regulatory agencies and careful updating and utilization of current regulatory avenues can adequately promote the safety of Internet pharmacies. This Note further contends that the dangers posed by foreign Internet pharmacies will grow until international regulatory cooperation is established