Headlining the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta on April 4, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, criticized internet providers in efforts to reduce illegal online sales of opioids such as fentanyl and heroin.
A day before the Surgeon General recommended more people carry opioid overdose antidotes, Gottlieb described a recent congressional investigation into fentanyl sales online that identified 500 transactions worth $230,000. More than 300 people across 43 states were involved—and seven deaths could be traced to online drug sales.
“Internet firms simply aren't taking practical steps to find and remove these illegal opioid listings,” he said. “There's ample evidence of narcotics being advertised and sold online.”
Gottlieb drew parallels to federal efforts to eradicate child pornography online.
“[Internet service providers] and social media sites have stepped in to crack down on illegal activities when they’ve been forced to, such as when it comes to the sale of child pornography, and we’ve also seen them step in when some advertising offended their political prerogatives,” Gottlieb said. “But so far, when it comes to opioids, we haven’t seen meaningful, voluntary actions. Yet the magnitude of the public health emergency presented by the opioid crisis requires a change in mindset among Internet companies and the adoption of a more responsible, collective approach to eliminating illegal opioid distribution via the Internet.”
Other FDA-proposed initiatives include pain management training for medical personnel who prescribe opioids. This move, however, is opposed by many in the medical community, including the American Medical Association.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.