One Pill Can Kill

Pills Purchased Outside of a Licensed Pharmacy are Illegal, Dangerous, and Potentially Deadly


The Drug Enforcement Administration warns the American public of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

Here are a few quick facts:

  • Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public.
     
  • Counterfeit pills are widely available, and DEA and its law enforcement partners are seizing deadly fake pills at record rates.
     

  • Counterfeit pills are more lethal than ever before. The number of DEA-seized counterfeit pills with fentanyl has skyrocketed since 2019. DEA lab testing reveals that 5 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.

  • The only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

 

Chances are that you’ve heard one of many tragic overdose stories connected to the use of counterfeit pills. 

Earlier this year, the 16-year old son of famous television therapist Dr. Laura Berman died after overdosing on fentanyl. Berman believes her son bought the drug, which he thought was Xanax, from a dealer on Snapchat.

In 2020, 23-year-old Wyatt Williamson died after consuming a pill he thought was Xanax, but was actually laced with fentanyl.

 

Learn more about counterfeit pills at www.dea.gov/onepill.