INTERNET DRUGS

Illegal Internet Pharmacies

270. Pursuant to Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 50/11, the Board distributed in February 2009 to all Governments a standard format to be used by countries for reporting on seizures of internationally controlled substances ordered via the Internet and delivered through the mail. The Board has received the first set of replies, containing data for 2008, which indicate the wide geographical distribution of shipments of a variety of illegally sold pharmaceutical preparations containing controlled substances. The Board will continue to collect information on seizures and will provide in its annual reports a detailed analysis of the information received. The Board invites all Governments that have not yet done so to establish national mechanisms for collecting and reporting data to the Board as requested by the Commission in its resolution 50/11.

271. The Board notes with appreciation that in some countries legislation has been introduced to counteract the illegal sale of controlled substances through Internet pharmacies. In the United States, the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (see paragraph 411 below), which was enacted in October 2008, amended the Controlled Substances Act and Controlled Substances Import and Export Act by adding several new provisions to prevent the illegal distribution and dispensing of controlled substances by means of the Internet. In January 2009, Belgium adopted new legislation containing legal requirements specifically for Internet pharmacies and prohibiting the sale of prescription drugs through the Internet.

272. An increasing number of illegal transborder trade transactions of internationally controlled substances is carried out by the use of modern information and communication technology, such as the Internet and international call centres. The Board calls upon Governments to take appropriate action to prevent such misuse of modern communication technology. The Board also requests all Governments to consider measures to influence those responsible for the management of Internet websites and other modern communication technologies to ensure that illegal activities are prevented or terminated.

Recommendations to Governments, the United Nations and other relevant international and regional organizations

790. The global nature of the problems of illegal sales of controlled substances through the Internet and the smuggling of controlled substances by mail require concerted action by the international community.

Recommendation 42: The Guidelines for Governments on Preventing the Illegal Sale of Internationally Controlled Substances through the Internet,55 developed by the Board, were launched in March 2009. The Board hopes that the Guidelines will help each Government to identify the control measures most appropriate for its country. The Board calls upon Governments to implement the recommendations contained in the Guidelines without delay and to the fullest extent possible.

Recommendation 43: In Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 50/11, on international cooperation in preventing the illegal distribution of internationally controlled licit substances via the Internet, Governments were encouraged to notify the Board, in a regular and standardized manner, of seizures of internationally controlled licit substances ordered via the Internet and delivered through the mail. The Board distributed in February 2009 to all Governments a standard format to be used for reporting such seizures. The Board invites Governments that have not yet done so to establish national mechanisms for collecting data on seizures as requested by the Commission in its resolution 50/11 and to report to the Board using the standard format sent to them. The information received by the Board will allow it to analyse the situation with respect to internationally controlled substances ordered via the Internet and delivered through the mail and to report on that situation to the Commission.

Recommendation 44: An increasing number of illegal transborder trade transactions involving internationally controlled substances are carried out using modern information technology and communication technology, such as the Internet and international call centres. The Board calls upon Governments to take appropriate action to prevent such misuse of modern information technology and communication technology. The Board also requests Governments to consider measures to influence those responsible for the management of Internet websites and other forms of modern communication technology to ensure that illegal activities are prevented or stopped.