The federal government has announced a new pilot program to stop the illegal online sale of opioids

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are launching a 120-day trial to help reduce online sales of illegally supplied, unauthorized opioids.Under the pilot program, the FDA notifies the Internet registry - Neustar, Verisign and the Public Interest Registry (PIR) - that the agency sends a warning letter to the website operator and the website operator does not respond adequately within the allotted time. The Internet Registry will review the FDA's notice and assess whether further voluntary action, including possible domain name suspension or freezing, will be taken. NTIA, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce responsible for telecommunications and information policy issues, will work with the Internet registry involved in the trial and with the FDA to assess its impact.Alex Azar, HHS secretary, said: "The partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Commerce, coupled with a pilot program, will help stop the sale of illegal opioids online and combat the deadly addiction crisis in our country. Stopping the abuse of illegal opioids, including those sold online, has been one of President Trump's top health priorities. Over the years, FDA personnel have worked tirelessly with the private sector and federal partners, such as NTIA, to combat illegal online opioid sales.Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said: "The Trusted Informer Pilot Program is another new policy tool for President Trump to end the opioid crisis. The Department of Commerce is eager to work with our partners at HHS, FDA and Domain Registries to eliminate major illicit opioid sales channels that will help save many American lives. Atend of the trial, these agencies will analyze its effectiveness as a potential solution for online processing of illegal sales of unapproved
drugs,
.The FDA remains committed to addressing the nationwide opioid crisis in all its aspects and continues to reduce exposure to opioids and prevent new addictions; to support the treatment of people with opioid use disorders; to promote the development of new pain therapies; and to
speed
those who contribute to the illegal sale and importation of unapproved opioids.
（cyy123.com
）