ASOP Global Commends the USTR for their 2017 Notorious Markets List;
List includes several ASOP Global Suggestions
WASHINGTON – January 16, 2018 – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), within the Executive Office of the President, released the 2017 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets report on January 12. This list highlights online and physical marketplaces that demonstrate the global reach of counterfeiting and piracy issues for consumer and commercial goods, many of which exist simply to facilitate the illegal or illegitimate sale of these products.
ASOP Global submitted comments in response to the USTR’s request in October 2017, including a list of rogue internet registrars and online marketplaces which facilitate illegal online pharmacies and the sale of substandard or falsified pharmaceutical products. The 2017 Notorious Markets Report includes several of these online actors whose actions pose a significant international public health threat, including IndiaMart and Rebel, and mentions ASOP Global specifically for their recognition of registrars responding to abuse notifications during ICANN58 in Copenhagen. By including these bad actors in the report, the USTR is taking action to help curb the global patient safety threat caused by illegal online pharmacies.
USTR also notes the removal of Nanjing Imperiosus Technology Co, Ltd from the list as it is no longer in operation. Included in the 2016 Notorious Markets Report, ASOP Global identified Nanjing Imperiosus for their role in providing rogue online pharmacies with domain names.
“We commend the USTR for including several ASOP Global suggestions in their Notorious Markets Report this year,” said ASOP Global Executive Director, Libby Baney. “The impact of these organization’s actions go far beyond simple counterfeiting, as they place public health at risk by selling dangerous and potentially deadly products. The USTR Notorious Markets Report recognizes the dangers associated with online pharmaceutical sales of counterfeit drugs and ASOP Global applauds sending a message to registries, registrars, and online marketplaces that help facilitate illegal online pharmacies. ASOP Global looks forward to continued collaboration with the USTR in combatting counterfeit medications sold online.”
ASOP Global supports the continued focus on the issue of rogue registrars facilitating illegal online pharmacies by the U.S. Trade Representative in their Notorious Market Reports, noting inclusion of rogue Internet pharmacies in the USTR report for the past three years. This focus has increased global pressure on registries and registrars to take action against illegal online pharmaceutical sales, protecting the public health and ensuring patient access to safe and legitimate online pharmacies.
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ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR SAFE ONLINE PHARMACIES
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. with operations in U.S., Canada, Europe, India and Asia, is dedicated to protecting consumers around the world, ensuring safe access to medications, and combating illegal online drug sellers.
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