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Potential Public Health Risk with Medications from Illegal Pharmacies  

Published 10/8/2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a potential public health risk for individuals ordering online prescription medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns there are online pharmacies claiming to sell prescription drugs at discounted prices, posing a potential risk to patients ordering. These online based pharmacies often sell unapproved, counterfeit, or otherwise unsafe medicines outside the safeguards followed by licensed pharmacies.

On September 30, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an indictment against individuals running illegal online pharmacies. According to the DOJ, these individuals are distributing millions of unregulated counterfeit prescription pills. These pills could impact tens of thousands of U.S. individuals. The counterfeit pills may contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and methamphetamine. Individuals who ordered drugs from these illegal pharmacies could be at risk for a drug poisoning. To find and verify an online pharmacy, visit Verify Before You Buy or Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy.

Visit the CDC Newsroom to read the full press release.

Additional Resources

General Resources

Disruption Resources for Patients Receiving Controlled Substances

If an individual has been treated with opioids and/or benzodiazepines and has lost access to medication, they may be at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, including pain and psychological distress if care is not promptly reestablished.

Below are resources for patients impacted by disruption, including how to find treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, access naloxone, and locate crisis helplines.


If there are disruption resources you would like added to this list, please contact us at TODA@dshs.texas.gov.

Public Health Region 1

Public Health Region 1 Counties Include:

PHR 1

  • Dawson 
  • Gaines
  • Hale
  • Lubbock
  • Potter
  • Randall
  • Terry
  • Yoakum

Public Health Region 2/3

Public Health Region 2/3 Counties Include:

PHR 2/3

  • Brown
  • Collin
  • Dallas
  • Denton
  • Grayson
  • Hunt
  • Navarro
  • Nolan
  • Tarrant
  • Taylor
  • Wichita

Public Health Region 4/5 North

Public Health Region 4/5 North Counties Include:

PHR 4/5 North

  • Angelina
  • Cherokee
  • Harrison
  • Jasper
  • Lamar
  • Smith 

Public Health Region 6/5 South

Public Health Region 6/5 South Counties Include:

PHR 6/5 South

  • Brazoria
  • Chambers
  • Fort Bend
  • Galveston
  • Hardin
  • Harris
  • Jefferson
  • Montgomery

Public Health Region 7

Public Health Region 7 Counties Include:

PHR 7

  • Bell
  • Brazos
  • Hays
  • McLennan
  • Milam
  • Travis
  • Williamson

Public Health Region 8

Public Health Region 8 Counties Include:

PHR 8

  • Bexar
  • Comal
  • DeWitt
  • Medina
  • Uvalde
  • Victoria

Public Health Region 9/10

Public Health Region 9/10 Counties Include:

PHR 9/10

  • Andrews
  • Ector
  • El Paso
  • Midland
  • Tom Green

Public Health Region 11

Public Health Region 11 Counties Include:

PHR 11

  • Cameron
  • Hidalgo
  • Live Oak
  • Nueces
  • Webb

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.

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