ASOP Global Applauds Congress for Swift Action on the INFORM Consumers Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 17, 2021
Today, the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee held a markup of H.R. 5502, the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) for Consumers Act. The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) applauds the Committee for moving this critical bill swiftly through the legislative process. This quick action sends a powerful message to online criminals that they can no longer act anonymously and without consequences.
The INFORM Consumers Act would make the internet a safer, more transparent place for consumers to shop by ensuring that online marketplaces verify high-volume sellers and provide consumers with their contact information. This bipartisan legislation also enables law enforcement to prosecute criminals and remove counterfeit, dangerous, or defective products from online marketplaces.
In 2021, 42 percent of Americans—up 7 percent from last year—are currently purchasing medications online, yet, unknown to them, the vast majority of online pharmacies are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration or state regulators. The fake medicines peddled by illegal online drug sellers, sold via online marketplaces, and offered on social media platforms, are dangerous and even deadly.
The INFORM Consumers Act is a vital step forward in protecting consumers from purchasing illegal counterfeit drugs online. ASOP Global urges Congress to swiftly pass this much-needed legislation.
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The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. with activities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, is dedicated to protecting consumers around the world, ensuring safe access to medications, and combating illegal online drug sellers.