NEWARK �| A Mercer County company and a Canadian pharmacy have settled a lawsuit filed by the state regarding the sale of prescription drugs imported from Canada, Attorney General Anne Milgram and Acting Consumer Affairs Director Larry DeMarzo announced.

Defendants Karen Azarchi of Princeton Junction and her business, Medications4Less, and Canadian pharmacy Ultra Care Pharmacy Ltd., have agreed to a $150,000 settlement that requires them to stop doing business in New Jersey, under terms of the Consent Order with the State.

"This settlement is about protecting the public's health and ensuring patient safety," Attorney General Milgram said. "It is also about our state's vigilance in policing businesses operating on the Internet."

The state filed suit after the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted an investigation into the practices of these companies. As alleged in the state's six-count complaint, the defendants processed a prescription written by a fictitious physician; processed a prescription written by a physician listed as being suspended from the practice of medicine; sold prescription drugs to a patient who had recently purchased, and disclosed, that she was currently taking another drug known to produce dangerous, including fatal, interactions; and imported prescription medication in violation of FDA rules and regulations. 

Azarchi, Medications4Less and Ultra Care agreed that they will not engage in the advertisement, solicitation, sale, distribution, dispensing, filling or refilling of prescription medications in New Jersey, or to New Jersey residents, unless and until such actions are authorized under the law of New Jersey and/or the federal law of the United States.

Defendants Azarchi and Medications4lLess, also agreed to immediately cease operation of the entity known as Medications4Less, LLC including, but not limited to, the termination of the website www.medications4less.com.

The defendants will pay $115,000, with the remaining $35,000 penalty suspended, under terms of the Consent Order.

Ultra Care agreed that unless and until it becomes a licensed New Jersey pharmacy, it will inform any New Jersey resident who attempts to fill or refill any prescription that Ultra Care cannot fill or refill prescriptions for New Jersey residents. Ultra Care must have a disclaimer on the internet and other electronic communications that it does not do business in the State of New Jersey.

"Prescription medications, when properly prescribed, dispensed and used, can be of tremendous benefit to patients,�h Acting Director DeMarzo said. "We want proper oversight to occur before prescriptions are authorized and provided to patients.�h

The Division of Consumer Affairs E-Commerce Investigative Unit conducted the investigation of the companies. Deputy Attorney General David Puteska represented the state in resolving this matter.

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