Investigation of black box drugs purchased from an online pharmacy

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Online pharmacies have a growing presence. While some pharmacies are legitimate, others are not and may either be a scam or provide drugs of uncertain origin, uncertain drug type, or inconsistent dosing. Some researchers have referred to these types of pharmacies as “rogue pharmacies.” The purpose of this study was to order three brand-name black box drugs from a suspected rogue pharmacy and analyze their contents.Methods: Three drugs were purchased from an online pharmacy, “Nolvadex,” “ACTOS,” and “Wellbutrin SR.” Piomore, Tamodex, and Buprotic SR were received. The pills were extracted in methanol and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Pioglitazone was derivatized with bis-(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide to improve its thermal stability.Results: Of the three prescription drugs ordered, one did not contain the correct active ingredient. For the remaining two, drugs with the correct active ingredient were received, although the dose was not consistent with the FDA guidelines for generic drugs.Conclusion: People who order drugs from rogue pharmacies should use extreme caution and may receive counterfeit drugs of questionable or dangerous quality. Policymakers should consider increasing the number and scope of warnings to consumers concerning this issue.