A sharp rise in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and meth. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration issues a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

A news release from the administration’s St. Louis Division says that officials have seized more than 9.5 million counterfeit pills this year – more than the last two years combined. 

These counterfeit pills are illegally manufactured by criminal drug networks made to look like real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, or stimulants like amphetamines.

Fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms. 

Administrator of the DEA Anne Milgram says that the U.S. is facing an unprecedented crisis of overdose deaths fueled by illegally manufactured fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

DEA urges all Americans to be vigilant and aware of the dangers of counterfeit pills, and to only take medications your medical professional prescribes you from a licensed pharmacist. 

More information at dea.gov/onepill.