News Releases

ASOP Global Welcomes New Member Rx Outreach

June 18, 2024

ASOP Global welcomes Rx Outreach, the largest nonprofit online pharmacy in the United States.

ASOP EU – New Report “Unlock potential of online prescription medicines in Europe”

February 8, 2024

Large-scale evidence on patients, carers and pharmacy owners asking for a greater choice that improves access to medicines and health outcomes.

ASOP Global Statement on FDA Approval of Florida Drug Importation Plan

January 5, 2024

ASOP Global raises concerns on Florida’s Section 804 Importation Program approval.

ASOP Statement on Commerce and Technology Hearing

December 20, 2023

ASOP Global urges Congress to remain steadfast in its commitment to expanding nationwide broadband access while ensuring the safety of users in the digital space is paramount.

ASOP Statement for the Congressional Record

December 20, 2023

Statement for the Congressional Record in support of NTIA Programming to combat illegal online drug sales.

National Consumer Survey:

More Americans than Ever Are Buying Prescription Medication Online Despite a Lack of Awareness of the Dangers They Pose

December 6, 2023

Newly released survey data commissioned by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) Foundation shows more Americans are buying prescription medication online than ever. That number is rising, driven by cost and convenience, accelerated by the pandemic, and fueled by drug shortages and changes in access. However, most consumers make dangerous, false assumptions about the safety, oversight, and compliance of online drug sellers and the serious health risks posed by medications purchased through illegal sources online.

ASOP Global Applauds Reintroduction of Bipartisan SHOP SAFE Act 

October 3, 2023

The SHOP SAFE Act incentivizes online marketplaces to engage in best practices and combat widespread fraud and illegal activity on their platforms.

ASOP Global Submits Comments on U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Request for Anticounterfeiting and Antipiracy Strategies

September 6, 2023

Through advocacy, education, and policy, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) works to disrupt illegal online drug sellers’ schemes and has submitted comments to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) outlining challenges and solutions to achieve that mission.

ASOP Global Participates in Government and Industry Roundtable on Preventing Counterfeit Drugs in Communities

August 22, 2023

ASOP Global participated in “Counterfeit Drugs in the Community,” a roundtable discussion in Los Angeles, CA, hosted by the International Trademark Association (INTA).

ASOP Global Welcomes New Members IQVIA and Translucent Datalab

August 9, 2023

Data Solutions Giants Join ASOP Global to Protect Patients from Illegal Online Drug Sellers

ASOP Global Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee for Moving Cooper Davis Act Through Markup and to Senate Floor Bipartisan Bill Protects America’s Youth Against Deadly Fentanyl-Laced Fake Meds 

July 13, 2023

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a markup of S.1080, the Cooper Davis Act. The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee for pushing Big Tech to take a more proactive role against illegal online drug sellers.

ASOP Global Participates in Fourth FDA Summit

 June 22, 2023

 ASOP Global participated in the Federal Drug Administration’s fourth Online Controlled Substances Summit. This year, the FDA broadened its focus from opioids to all controlled substances. As part of the summit’s expanded scope, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the United Nations’ Global OPIOIDS Project, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other experts examined global trends and policy and law enforcement solutions for stopping the illegal online sale of opioids and other controlled substances.

ASOP Global Names Former U.S. Official Susan Wilson to Its Board of Directors 

May 25, 2023

ASOP Global has named Susan Wilson to its Board of Directors. For more than 30 years, Susan served in technical and leadership positions at the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and International Trade Administration, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Departments of State and Justice, and the U.S. Customs Service. She is currently a director of intellectual property policy at Intel Corporation.

Cooper Davis Act Protects America’s Youth Against Deadly Fentanyl-Laced Fake Meds Sold Online 

April 24, 2023

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies supports the bipartisan Cooper Davis Act as an important weapon to help federal, state, and local law enforcement fight the illegal online sale of counterfeit medicine laced with potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.

ASOP Global Statement on Summary Judgment Dismissing Antitrust Lawsuit Brought by PharmacyChecker.com 

April 19, 2023

Judge Karas’ dismissal of PharmacyChecker.com’s baseless lawsuit confirms what ASOP Global has known from the start: “PharmacyChecker.com makes most of its money by helping people illegally import drugs.”

ASOP Global Statement on Texas Court Decision Revoking FDA Approval of Mifepristone

April 11, 2023

Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s decision to revoke U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for mifepristone undermines nearly 120 years of FDA legal authority and threatens the health and safety of American women.

ASOP Global Urges DEA to Consider Risks to Patient Safety in Proposed Rule

March 31, 2023

Telemedicine Prescribing Rule Likely to Drive Unsuspecting Consumers to Illegal Online Pharmacies

New Public Service Campaign to Safeguard Online Consumers Launches

December 14, 2022

Actor Danny Trejo in action warning consumers about #BadMeds and to verify before they buy.

ASOP Global Applauds House Passage of the INFORM Consumers Act 

November 17, 2022

ASOP commends the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 5502, the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) for Consumers Act. The bipartisan bill requires online marketplaces to verify high-volume sellers and provide consumers with their contact information. The legislation also enables law enforcement to prosecute criminals and remove counterfeit, dangerous, or defective products from online marketplaces.

New ASOP Global Foundation-funded Report Examines Impact of Lock and Suspend on Illegal Online Pharmacies

October 14, 2022

A new report by The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), sponsored by ASOP Global Foundation, shows that locking and suspending websites that illegally sell prescription medications online directly impacts patient safety.

Kellie Barr Selected to Serve as a United States Magistrate Judge 

August 8, 2022

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP) and the ASOP Global Foundation congratulate Kellie M. Barr on being selected to serve as a United States Magistrate Judge.

Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU) announces new Director

July 22, 2022

ASOP EU is delighted to announce that Stefan Feltens, the President of the European Association of E-Pharmacies (EAEP) will become a Director of ASOP EU, adding significant influence to this important patient safety initiative.

Moderna Joins ASOP Global as Newest Member

June 23, 2022

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) welcomed pioneering global pharmaceutical company Moderna as a new member organization today, expanding the company’s long-standing leadership on patient safety issues.

ASOP Congratulates Patient Safety Advocates and ASOP Board of Directors Members on New Leadership Roles 

June 9, 2022

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP) is thrilled to congratulate President of the Board of Directors, John Hertig, PharmD, MS, FASHP, and Board Member Ilisa Bernstein on their recent promotions. Hertig has been named Chair of Pharmacy Practice in Butler University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS). Bernstein, PharmD, JD, FAPhA, has been named Interim CEO of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

ASOP Global Encouraged by Inclusion of Consumer Health and Safety Protections in America COMPETES Act

January 28, 2022

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) is encouraged to see the inclusion of critical consumer health and safety protections in the America Competes in Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength Act (America COMPETES Act) introduced in the House this week.

ASOP Global Endorses Bipartisan, Bicameral DRUGS Act

January 5, 2022

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) applauds Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) for the bicameral introduction of the bipartisan Domain Reform for Unlawful druG Sellers Act (DRUGS Act).

ASOP Global Endorses DRUGS Act Aimed at Protecting American Consumers from Dangerous, Fake, and Illegal Drug Sales Online

December 21, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies strongly supports S.3399, the Domain Reform for Unlawful druG Sellers Act (DRUGS Act).

ASOP Global Endorses the Domain Reform for Unlawful druG Sellers (DRUGS) Act

December 16, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) applauds Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for introducing the bipartisan S.3399 Domain Reform for Unlawful druG Sellers Act (DRUGS Act) yesterday

ASOP Global Applauds Congress for Swift Action on the INFORM Consumers Act

November 17, 2021

ASOP Global applauds the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee for moving this critical bill swiftly through the legislative process.

ASOP Global Applauds Senate Commerce Subcommittee for Highlighting the Dangers of Online Counterfeit Drugs

October 26, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) applauds the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security for calling attention to the dangers of deadly drugs easily obtained online.

ASOP Global Urges Swift Passage of the INFORM Consumers Act

October 14, 2021

ASOP Global applauds Congress for moving the INFORM Consumers Act quickly through the legislative process and urges the bill’s swift passage to send a powerful message to online criminals that they can no longer act anonymously and without punishment.

ASOP Global Statement on SHOP SAFE Markup

September 29, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement regarding the SHOP SAFE Act of 2021 markup.

ASOP Global Condemns Websites Falsely Marketing Ivermectin as a COVID Cure

September 15, 2021

ASOP Global joins members of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), along with the American Medical Association (AMA), in warning against the ordering, prescribing, or dispensing of ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial.

ASOP Global Participates in Third FDA Online Opioid Summit

September 9, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) will participate in the third U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Online Opioid Summit. The Summit provides a critical forum for experts from academia, government, private, and nonprofit sectors to collaborate on ways to detect and reduce the availability of opioids on the internet.

ASOP EU and Health Stakeholders Call on European Parliament, European Council to Expand Digital Services Act to Include Internet Intermediaries

July 18, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies in the EU (ASOP EU), along with six health-centered organizations, co-signed a letter to members of the European Parliament and the European Council requesting the expansion of the proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) to include online intermediaries.

New National ASOP Foundation Survey:  As More Americans Buy Meds on the Internet, Most Prioritize Cost & Convenience Over Safety.

July 12, 2021

According to a new national survey the ASOP Global Foundation commissioned from Abacus Data, nearly half of American consumers are willing to risk threats to their health by purchasing medications from unregulated online sources for the sake of more convenience and lower prices. Further, U.S drug importation policies give consumers a false sense of security, leading many to misbelieve that all Canadian medicines sold online are safe and legitimate. Alarmingly, more than one-third of consumers polled say they would knowingly ignore explicit government prohibitions from buying medicines from Canadian online pharmacies because of their misperceptions that they can safely access cheaper medications from sources abroad.

ASOP Global Opposes New Biden Policy on Canadian Drug Importation. 

July 12, 2021

Friday, President Biden issued an Executive Order that directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with states and tribes on plans to import prescription drugs from Canada. In response, Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement.

ASOP Global Applauds HHS Reversal of the Trump Administration’s Drug Importation Scheme

 July 8, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services announcement that it will revoke a Trump-era call for proposals to create pathways for personal prescription drug and insulin importation from other countries.

ASOP EU Gains Official Observer Status at the Medicrime Convention Committee of the Parties

May 26, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU) has joined the Medicrime Committee of the Parties (CoP) as an Observer.

ASOP Global Expresses Support for SHOP SAFE Act

May 26, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement in support of the “Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-commerce Act” (SHOP SAFE Act) and this week’s congressional hearing on the legislation.

ASOP Global Endorses INFORM Consumers Act

May 25, 2021

the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement in support of the bipartisan Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act (INFORM Consumers Act).

New Report Demonstrates Implementing the Falsified Medicines Directive in Hospitals Brings Massive Positive Change

April 7, 2021

The European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines (EAASM) has published its report ‘Patient Safety and the Implementation of the Falsified Medicines Directive in the Hospital Environment: Practical solutions and benefits’. Read the full release here.

ASOP Global Statement on Congressional Hearing with CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Google
March 26, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement about yesterday’s joint hearing on disinformation and the role of social media before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

ASOP Global Welcomes Opportunity to Work with HHS Secretary Becerra

March 18, 2021

Today, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement in response to the United States Senate’s confirmation of Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

ASOP Global Applauds the Reintroduction of the PACT Act
March 17, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in support of the recently reintroduced Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency Act (PACT Act).

Novartis Joins ASOP Global as Newest Member
February 2, 2021
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies is proud to welcome global health care company Novartis as a new member organization.

ASOP Global Reaffirms Support for Targeted Section 230 Reform Bill
February 1, 2021

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies issued the following statement in response to the reintroduction of the See Something Say Something Online Act by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX).

ASOP Global Applauds NTIA for Urging Congress to Protect Americans Online
January 6, 2021
As a member of the Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet (CSTI), the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) signed recent letters applauding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for calling on the House and Senate to address open access to accurate WHOIS data.

ASOP Global Commends U.S. Attorney Hur for Fighting Against COVID-19 Fraud
December 21, 2020
In response to the recent seizure by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland of websites for fraudulently posing as legitimate biotechnology companies actively developing treatments for COVID-19, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement.

ASOP Global Urges Consumers to Remain Aware of COVID-19 Fraud
December 11, 2020
In response to the anticipated emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for several COVID-19 vaccines and availability of a direct-to-consumer COVID-19 test system, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement.

ASOP Canada Statement on Health Canada Interim Order to Prevent Diversion of Canada’s Drug Supply
November 30, 2020
In response to Health Canada’s release of an Interim Order (IO) to prevent the diversion of Health Canada-approved medicines, ASOP Canada issued the following statement.

ASOP Global Statement of Opposition to Drug Importation Rule
November 30, 2020
In response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Importation of Prescription Drugs Final Rule taking effect today, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement of opposition.

ASOP Global Statement On Launch Of Amazon Pharmacy
November 17, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in response to the launch today of Amazon Pharmacy.

New Survey Reveals Dangerous Disconnect in American Perceptions of Online Pharmacies
October 19, 2020
According to a new national survey the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) commissioned from Abacus Data, the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating an already growing trend toward the digitalization of the healthcare industry, including increased utilization of telemedicine and the purchase of medications online.

ASOP Global Statement on New Section 230 Reform Bill 
September 29, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in response to the introduction today of the See Something Say Something Online Act by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX).

ASOP Global Statement on the Publication of FDA’s Final Rule on Drug Importation
September 25, 2020
In response to yesterday’s publication of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Final Rule on Drug Importation, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement.

ASOP Canada Statement on U.S. Final Rule to Import Prescription Medicines from Canada
September 25, 2020
In response to yesterday’s announcement by the Trump Administration and final regulations to allow importation of prescription medicines, ASOP Canada issued the following statement.

ASOP Global Statement on FDA Crackdown on Website Operators Illegally Selling Opioids
September 10, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in response to warning letters issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to 17 website operators advertising and selling illegal, unapproved and misbranded opioids online.

ASOP Global Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on Accelerated Timeline for State Drug Importation Proposals
July 27, 2020
In response to the Executive Order President Trump signed Friday to set price controls on drugs imported from other countries into the U.S., the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), issued the following statement.

ASOP Global Applauds the Introduction of the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency Act
June 24, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement by Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI) regarding the introduction of the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency Act (PACT Act).

Canadians are more open to ordering medication and medical supplies online amid the COVID-19 pandemic
June 18, 2020
A new comprehensive survey released today from the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies Canada (ASOP Canada) revealed that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, half of Canadians have become more open to ordering medication, medical supplies or other healthcare products online.

Youth IGF Movement Form An Alliance With 3 French Healthcare Companies And ASOP EU Launching A Global Education Programme To Combat COVID-19 Scams And Fake Medicines
June 10, 2020
The Youth IGF Movement, created by Yuliya Morenets, has teamed up with the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU) supported by three French global healthcare companies Ipsen, Sanofi and Servier to educate the youth about buying fake medicines online in particular COVID-19 scams. The campaign is called “We rely on you. We rely on youth”.

ASOP Global Statement on FDA/NTIA Pilot Program to Stop Illegal Online Opioid Sales
June 9, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s joint announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of a new pilot program to help stop the illegal sale of opioids online.

ASOP Global Commends USTR for Identifying Bad Actors in Domain Name Industry
May 5, 2020
In response to the release of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) annual Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protection and Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, ASOP Global issued the following statement.

43 Stakeholders Have Now Joined ASOP Global’s Call for the Administration to Take Action to Protect Consumers from Online COVID-19 Scams and Misinformation
April 21, 2020
More than 40 public health, trade association, industry, and research groups, including the National Consumers League (NCL) and the Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet (CSTI), have now joined the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) in urging Vice President Mike Pence, members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, cabinet officials, and other state and national leaders to take further action to protect consumers from online COVID-19 scams and misinformation.

ASOP Global Statement on Senators’ Call for Domain Industry Accountability to Combat COVID-19 Misinformation and Fraud
April 15, 2020

In response to letters sent by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) calling on domain name registrars and hosts to fight scams and misinformation during the COVID-19 crisis, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) issued the following statement today.

ASOP Global Urges Administration to Act Now to Protect Consumers from Online COVID-19 Scams and Misinformation
April 9, 2020
The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) and more than 30 other public health, trade association, industry, and research groups, including the National Consumers League (NCL) and the Coalition for a Secure and Transparent Internet (CSTI), sent a joint letter today to Vice President Mike Pence, members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, cabinet officials, and other state and national leaders urging them to take further action to protect consumers from online COVID-19 scams and misinformation.

In response to the newly released report by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) entitled “Illicit Trade in Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products,” the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU) applauds the research conducted to better highlight and quantify the pervasive threat of illegal online drug sellers.

ASOP Global Statement on EUIPO and OECD Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Trade Report
March 23, 2020
In response to a new report released by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on fake medicines and the global illicit trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), issued the following statement

ASOP Global Statement on Fake COVID-19 Claims Online
March 20, 2020

In response to widespread misinformation about COVID-19 online, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), issued the following statement today.

ASOP Global Names ASHP’s Schulte Wall to Board of Directors
March 5, 2020

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) has named Jillanne Schulte Wall, J.D. to its board of directors.

ASOP Global Names New Board of Director Members
January 24, 2020
ASOP Global has named three new members to its board of directors, including former U.S. Food and Drug Administration compliance and policy official Dr. Ilisa Bernstein.