No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeHealth mattersUnregistered, illegal health products sold online, delivered to Costa Rica

Unregistered, illegal health products sold online, delivered to Costa Rica

The large number of online sources of illegal and counterfeit medicine with Costa Rica delivery has local health officials concerned.

Public Health Ministry officials reported that they have found a total of 69 websites, including social media profiles and online pharmacies, that offer to deliver medication and other health products that don’t comply with Costa Rica’s sanitary regulations.

Health officials last year seized 5,920 units of these products illegally brought into the country.

Health Vice Minister María Anchía Angulo said Tuesday that officials have noticed “a continuous entry of a considerable amount of illegal and unregistered medicines, dietary supplements and natural medicines through the country’s customs and parcel delivery services.”

Anchía said officials had detected an increase in deliveries of such products purchased through the Internet and that most of them are illegal or counterfeited.

Public Health Ministry officials and international experts are discussing the problem this week in a training seminar. Specialists of the Swedish National Police and the Organization of American States are in charge of the four-day training.

“We have found weaknesses in the system and in agencies responsible for handling complaints related to online commerce,” the Vice Minister said.

Ministry officials are asking citizens to avoid buying medications online without first consulting a professional.

To confirm the origin of a drug or to report the sale of unauthorized medicine, send an email to: denuncias@ministeriodesalud.go.cr

Trending Now

Panama Removed from EU High-Risk List, but Tax Haven Status Remains

The film The Laundromat, starring Meryl Streep, damaged Panama's reputation by drawing inspiration from a real-life story: the global scandal that erupted a decade...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas UNAM in Major Liga MX Transfer

Keylor Navas has agreed to become the new goalkeeper for Pumas UNAM, marking one of the biggest signings in recent Liga MX history. The...

Costa Rica Launches Traceability System to Tackle Illegal Logging

Costa Rica is advancing with the creation of a National Forest Traceability System, a key tool to guarantee the legality and sustainability of timber...

Venezuela Accuses El Salvador of Torturing Deported Migrants From U.S.

Sexual abuse, daily beatings, rotten food: The government of Nicolás Maduro on Monday denounced “torture” against Venezuelan migrants sent by the United States to...

Costa Rica Tops Latin America in Attracting Foreign Millionaires

Costa Rica is a country that attracts millionaires. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, a total of 350 foreign millionaires will have...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica