Final answer:
Up to 50% of pharmaceuticals sold online are estimated to be counterfeit according to the WHO, posing health risks and having significant economic impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that up to 50% of pharmaceuticals sold online are counterfeit. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals can pose significant health risks as they may contain incorrect ingredients, wrong dosages, or may not be effective at treating the conditions they are intended for. With the rise of prescription medication abuse and the involvement of crime syndicates in the production of synthetic opioids, the online sale of counterfeit pharmaceuticals has become a major public health concern. Moreover, the cost of counterfeit goods, including pharmaceuticals, impacts economies severely. With China accounting for a substantial majority of counterfeit goods entering the United States, this contributes to the problem significantly. Lastly, the research and development efforts by pharmaceutical companies to discover new natural compounds for medicines highlight the importance of protecting consumers from the dangers of counterfeit drugs.