title: Illicit online marketing of lorcaserin before DEA scheduling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antiobesity drugs have been marketed illicitly by "no prescription" online pharmacies after approval and scheduling by the drug enforcement agency. We assess whether antiobesity drug Belviq® (lorcaserin HCl) was available from illicit online vendors before DEA-scheduling when sales are unauthorized.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online searches of "buy Belviq no prescription" examining first five result pages marketing the drug. Searches were performed from 11/5/2012-12/8/2012, prior to DEA scheduing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Belviq® is actively marketed by "no prescription" online vendors despite official unavailability and prescription requirements. Approaches included direct-to-consumer advertising using descriptive website URLs; linking to illicit marketers; and directing customers to other weight-loss websites for additional marketing. Finally, large quantities were marketed by business-to-business vendors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Illicit online "no prescription" pharmacies are marketing unauthorized, suspect antiobesity drugs before DEA scheduling and permitted marketing. Regulators must legally intercede to ensure patient safety, and providers must educate patients about online-sourcing risks.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Law Studies, California Western School of Law, California, USA. baliang@alum.mit.edu
authors.forename: Bryan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Tim K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mackey
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Archer-Hayes
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shinn
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D040541:Marketing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D060946:Pharmaceutical Services, Online / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D055656:Prescriptions
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D055553:Prescription Drugs; C506658:lorcaserin