Pharmacists say they will continue to make nicotine-laced lollipops despite a federal crackdown on the Internet sale of the smoking-cessation aid.

L.D. King, executive director of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, says making nicotine-spiked products is legal as long as pharmacists abide by the U.S. government's regulations. "We've advised our members to dispense these lollipops only with a valid prescription, to use childproof packaging, to avoid making any claims as to the effectiveness of these products, and to use FDA-approved ingredients," King says. The federal Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters recently to three Internet pharmacies selling nicotine lollipops and nicotine lip balm. The agency said the products were being sold without a prescription and that they contained a form of nicotine not tested for safety and effectiveness in smoking cessation. Also, the FDA says, the products didn't have warning labels or packaging that would prohibit their use by children. Owners of two of the companies, Ashland Drug in Ashland, Miss., and the Compounding Pharmacy of Aurora, Ill., said they have stopped selling the lollipops. Bird's Hill Pharmacy in Needham, Mass., refused to comment.

<< Prev	CIGoutlet.NET News Home	Next >>