DRUGS ON INTERNET - WHATS AT STAKE FOR PU BLIC-HEALTH

The development of internet and more generally of telematics has given rise to many practical consequences in medicine. Whatever the context (communication, medias, teaching, imaging or data transmissions), Int ernet appears as a familiar tool in many medical fields. However some drift with harmful consequences for public health is emerging. This is particularly true for drugs sales via Internet. The absence of any co ntrol by health authorities over internet drug sales raises acute lega l problems for jurists, pharmacists, pharmacologists and public health physicians. A debate on the main difficulties is urgently needed. (C) 1998, Masson, Paris.