Chattanooga Residents Alerted to Rising Threat of Counterfeit Online Pharmacies

Chattanooga Residents Beware: Counterfeit Online Pharmacies on the Rise

Hey, Chattanooga! We’ve got some important news to share that could potentially save lives. Recently, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a serious warning about an alarming increase in illegal online pharmacies. These shady websites are selling counterfeit pills made with dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine to unsuspecting customers right here in the United States.

Understanding the Danger

You might think that ordering medication online is as easy as a few clicks, but it turns out it can be a dangerous gamble. Many folks believe they’re buying legitimate prescription drugs such as Oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax from trustworthy sources. Instead, they’re falling victim to these drug traffickers who have created websites that look perfectly legal.

The DEA has pinpointed some of these fraudster websites as being operated from locations like India and the Dominican Republic. They cleverly disguise themselves as U.S.-based or FDA-approved pharmacies. To gain your trust, they even offer 24-hour customer service and positive-looking reviews. But trust us, what’s going on behind the scenes is anything but innocent.

A Heartbreaking Reality

Tragically, the DEA shared a heartbreaking story of a victim who ordered what she thought was Oxycodone from one of these online pharmacies. Unfortunately, the pill she received was a fake made with fentanyl. Grievingly, she passed away from acute fentanyl poisoning after taking just one of those counterfeit pills. This story highlights the devastating risks associated with using online pharmacies that are not verified.

Spotting the Red Flags

So how can you protect yourself and your loved ones? The DEA recommends being on the lookout for some red flags when considering any online pharmacy:

• Prescription drugs sold without a valid prescription: Legit pharmacies won’t send you meds without a doctor’s approval.
• Prices that seem too good to be true: If the deal looks overly cheap, be cautious.
• Pricing in foreign currency: If you see this, it’s a sure sign to steer clear.
• Lack of valid pharmacy licenses: Legitimate pharmacies will often display their licenses proudly.
• Damaged or foreign-packaged medicine: If your meds come in broken packaging or don’t look familiar, send them back.
• No expiration dates: If there’s no date listed, or if the product is expired, don’t take the chance.
• Medicine that looks different: If it doesn’t match what your trusted pharmacist usually gives you, err on the side of caution.

What to Do Next

If you’ve purchased medication from any of these risky websites, the DEA advises that you stop using it immediately. It’s also wise to contact your local DEA office or report any suspicious activity online. You can report it easily at bit.ly/DEAreport.

Stay Safe with Trusted Pharmacies

To help you find reliable pharmacies in our area, you can check out BBB.org. They provide local and trusted pharmacy information and offer business profiles for pharmacies located within North America. If you have any questions, you can reach out to the BBB’s Chattanooga team at 423-266-6144 or via email at tngabbb@chattanooga.bbb.org.

Successful Shred Day Event

Switching gears, the BBB would like to thank everyone who supported our recent community event, Shred Day! On October 5th, we had an incredible turnout with nearly 700 cars pulling into our site, eager to protect their identities. Local residents offloaded more than 11 tons of paper to be shredded by River City Shredding, which is a 5% increase from the previous year!

In addition, we collected over a ton of electronics for recycling, all in compliance with EPA standards. This included safe destruction of 172 hard drives! Plus, Hamilton County Coalition gathered more than 261 pounds of prescription medications for safe disposal. It was a fantastic day, with community members taking proactive measures to safeguard their personal information.

Mark your calendars! Our next Shred Day is set for April 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at Coca-Cola Bottling Co., located at 2111 W. Shepherd Road in Chattanooga.

Thank you, Chattanooga, for being a responsible and proactive community!