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Suspect online sellers and contraceptive access
Bryan A Liang1, Tim K Mackey, Kimberly M Lovett
1Institute of Health Law Studies, California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA 92101, USA. baliang@alum.mit.edu
Contraception
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Online sales of prescription contraceptives, including IUDs and implants, are readily available without a prescription, posing significant patient safety risks. This unregulated access bypasses professional medical guidance, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health Policy
- Online Pharmacy Surveillance
Background:
- Contraception access is a significant national issue.
- Women may seek contraceptive products online due to access concerns.
- Online purchases raise safety concerns, including counterfeit products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the online availability of "no prescription" contraceptives.
- To evaluate the accessibility of various reversible contraceptive methods online without a prescription.
Main Methods:
- Searched Google for "buy ITEM no prescription" for reversible contraceptives (Depo-Provera, oral contraceptives, IUDs, implants).
- Reviewed the first five search result pages for "no prescription" vendors.
- Searches were conducted between January 3, 2012, and February 20, 2012.
Main Results:
- All assessed contraceptives were available online without a prescription.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) were advertised as "over-the-counter."
- Illicit online pharmacies are increasingly using social media platforms for marketing.
Conclusions:
- Online contraceptive sales present significant patient safety risks.
- This creates a high-risk access system without professional medical oversight.
- Healthcare providers and policymakers must address these systemic risks through education and legal strategies.
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