Clinton wants FDA to monitor Web drug sales
Washington -- The Clinton administration announced that it would seek legislation early next year giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate the sale of pharmaceuticals on the Internet, including the authority to fine $500,000 for selling drugs to someone without a valid prescription.
Some observers praised the idea of the FDA clamping down on the proliferation of Web companies selling drugs -- many of which circumvent the state authorities that have jurisdiction over the dispensing of prescription drugs. Others, however, were cautious about giving the government more authority over health care matters.
The Internet has developed into a battleground between large established pharmacies and hundreds of smaller operators that are prone to selling prescription drugs to consumers who have not been examined by a physician.
Despite Clinton's initiative, the high-flying Internet still would offer consumers the opportunity to buy prescription drugs from Web sites based outside the United States.
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