Why it matters: The DEA issued a letter to online retailers selling pill presses, requiring them to report sales of these presses to the DEA. Pill presses are used to disguise deadly opioids like fentanyl in fake pills, contributing to a surge in overdoses.
What they are saying: The DEA stated that criminal actors use pill presses to create fake pills that look like legitimate prescription medications but contain dangerous drugs. E-commerce retailers selling pill presses are required to report sales to the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act.
The big picture: Two Mexican cartels are primarily responsible for producing and smuggling fentanyl into the US, using pill presses to shape fentanyl powder into pills. Seizures of fake fentanyl-containing pills have increased, with 70% of drug overdoses in 2022 attributed to fentanyl ingestion.
What to watch: The DEA is increasing pressure on Mexico to curb the flow of fentanyl and fake pills crossing the border. E-commerce platforms must comply with reporting requirements and prevent the sale of pill presses to combat the fentanyl crisis.
My take: The rise in fake pills containing fentanyl underscores the urgency of regulating the sale of pill presses. E-commerce platforms must take responsibility and comply with DEA requirements to prevent further harm from these dangerous substances. Addressing the production and distribution of fake pills by cartels is crucial to addressing the opioid crisis in the US.
