Most online pharmacies are run illegally and could be selling dangerous or ineffective drugs, U.S. warns

Most of the 35,000 online pharmacies around the world are operating illegally and could be selling dangerous or ineffective drugs, according to the U.S. Trade Representative's annual "notorious markets" report.

Ninety-six percent of online pharmacies were found to be in violation of the law, meaning they were operating without a license and selling medications without prescriptions. An estimated 20 new illegal pharmacy websites are created every day around the world, according to the 2024 report released Wednesday.

"The health and safety concerns posed by counterfeit medicines are particularly troubling," Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.