ASOP Global Expresses Support for SHOP SAFE Act
Legislation would protect consumers from unsafe products being sold online
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 26, 2021 – The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global) 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:
As part of our ongoing work to protect consumers and combat illegal online drug sellers, ASOP Global supports the SHOP SAFE Act’s passage and applauds the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet for holding a hearing on this important legislation this week.
The SHOP SAFE Act was introduced last week by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chairman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Representative Ben Cline (R-VA).
Roughly 95 percent of the over 35,000 online pharmacies worldwide operate illegally, selling medicines without a prescription and peddling fake and dangerous medicinal alternatives in violation of state and federal law as well as pharmacy practice standards. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis, with online criminals preying on consumers by peddling illicit drugs as products to treat or prevent the disease. By establishing trademark liability for online marketplace platforms when a third-party sells a counterfeit product that poses a risk to consumer health and safety, the SHOP SAFE Act is an important step toward ensuring the internet is a safe place for consumers to shop for products.
ASOP Global has led the charge to protect American consumers from this growing public health threat by advocating for policies that put online patient safety first, including Increasing internet accountability through targeted reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Safeguarding online transparency by restoring access to accurate WHOIS data and stopping domain name registries and registrars from facilitating online crime by requiring them to lock and suspend suspicious sites.
The SHOP Safe Act reflects ASOP Global’s core policy priorities of ensuring transparency, accountability, and consumer safety online. While more must be done at the federal level to protect Americans from criminals peddling dangerous drugs online through marketplaces, social media, and websites, ASOP Global is proud to support the bipartisan SHOP SAFE Act’s policy goals.
We believe it is time to take a comprehensive approach to ensure consumers’ safety and well-being in this online ecosystem and the SHOP SAFE Act is a substantial leap in the right direction.
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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 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.