January 12, 2002
Washington State and Florida have filed suit against an online pharmacy and a Florida physician who have been issuing prescriptions and selling the antibiotic Cipro. The investigation is continuing and other online pharmacies may be next, a spokesman said.
The suits charge that the Web site Aprescribe.com, B&G Wholesale Inc., and Dr. Serge Lefevere Alexandre with violating Washington's Unfair Business Practices Act and Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Besides Cipro, a powerful antibiotic used to fight anthrax, the site offers Viagra and weight-loss drugs including Bontril, Adipex and Phentermine.
The drugs are offered to consumers without any kind of physical examination, the suit charges. Consumers merely fill out a form, which asks for a brief medical history, their address and credit card number. Consumers must also waive all liability claims against the Web site and its operators and certify that they are aware of the possibility of side effects from prescription drugs.
The lawsuits charge that the practices are illegal and that the defendants are not properly licensed to do business as a pharmacy in Florida.
Although the Web site is based in Florida, Washington State Attorney General Christine Gregoire took the lead in the investigation after receiving complaints from consumers in her state, a spokesman said. The suits were filed after an investigator from Gregoire's office ordered Cipro using a fictitious name.
"We can't allow anyone to violate our laws and threaten people's health in order to profit from the fear of bioterrorism," Gregoire said.
