Physician Sounds Alarm On Illegal Drugs Sold On Amazon

Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is known for selling everything from books and music to diapers and groceries. And illegal pharmaceuticals.

Physician and journalist Dr. Ford Vox says Amazon sells a number of dangerous steroids, muscle relaxants and prescription antibiotics, delivered right to your door without a prescription.

There has been little reaction from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as many of the shipments come from sellers abroad.

Now, some lawmakers and companies are trying change that. Vox has been writing about this and joins Here & Now’s Robin Young to discuss the issue.

• Read Dr. Vox’s piece in Slate, “Amazon’s Illegal Drug Dealing”

Guest

• Ford Vox, physician at the Shepherd Center, which specializes in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and research. He’s also journalist. He tweets @fordvox.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.