News Summary: Crackdown hits online pharma sites

ONLINE BUST: U.S. and international regulators have seized more than $41 million in illegal medicines worldwide and shut down 1,677 websites as part of their ongoing fight against counterfeit drugs sold over the Internet.

WHY: Experts say the Internet is filled with illegitimate, professional-looking sites that peddle drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a campaign last fall to warn consumers that many online pharmacies do not follow laws or pharmacy industry standards and their products could harm or even kill.

MORE DETAILS: The FDA runs a website that explains the risk of fake online pharmacies. The address: www.fda.gov/BeSafeRx.