The majority of online prescription drug sites that sell the most popular brands operate without proper credentials and lack even the most basic e-commerce security features, risking customers’ health and putting their personal information at risk, according to MarkMonitor. In August, the San Francisco-based brand protection software and service provider focused its quarterly “brandjacking index” on the three top selling drugs in 2006 and three of the most often-searched drugs online. It didn’t disclose the specific drugs in its study, but said it included two cholesterol-lowering drugs, an erectile dysfunction drug, an antidepressant, an antipsychotic, and a sleep aid. It believes consumers risk buying fake, expired, stolen, alternate, gray market or diluted versions of the branded products through dubious online pharmacies. Here are some findings from the MarkMonitor report.


The Numbers:

           The number of online pharmacies studied: 3,160

            The number of those pharmacies that are accredited as Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS), the industry credential that assures consumers of legitimate online pharmacy operations: 4

      
The percent of the online pharmacies studied that clearly state no prescription is required to purchase the drugs: 10 percent.

      
The percent of these online pharmacies that do not secure customer data: >50 percent

      
Average daily visitors to the top third of these online pharmacies: 32,000

      
Estimated annual revenue for these sites for the six top drug brands studied: $4 billion

      
Average for one popular drug on VIPPS-accredited online pharmacy: $10.85

      
Average price for that same drug at non-VIPPS-accredited online pharmacy: $2.72

 

Source: MarkMonitor