ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) on Wednesday applauded the introduction of the INFORM Consumers Act (H.R. 5502), legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D, Ill.) and Gus Bilirakis (R, Fla.) which promotes safety, transparency and accountability in e-commerce marketplaces. 

The introduction of the bipartisan legislation marks a crucial step forward in combating organized retail crime networks. It would protect online consumers from illicit products and fraud and would protect in-store consumers and store teams from criminal activity. 

Of critical importance, the INFORM Consumers Act seeks to promote the health and safety of consumers by requiring online retail marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers of new, unused goods on their platforms and to provide consumers with basic business information and contact details on third-party sellers. 

“The introduction of the INFORM Consumers Act in the U.S. House of Representatives is a positive development in our efforts to combat organized retail crime and to safeguard consumers who are shopping online,” said NACDS president and CEO Steven Anderson. “Importantly, the introduction of the bipartisan legislation is also a major step toward a strong final bill that can be signed into law. NACDS commends Representatives Schakowsky (D, Ill. and Bilirakis (R, Fla.) for their leadership on the issue and for their sponsorship of legislation which would bring more accountability and transparency to digital marketplaces — and critically — protect unsuspecting customers from criminal enterprises.” 

A Senate companion bill – S.936 – was introduced in March 2021 with the bipartisan support of Senators Dick Durbin (D, Ill.); Bill Cassidy (R, La.); Mazie Hirono (D, Hawaii); Chuck Grassley (R, Iowa); Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R, N.C.). 

Organized retail crime and the INFORM Consumers Act were among the priority issues on which NACDS leadership and pharmacy advocates presented during the virtual 2021 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event in March 2021. 

Following NACDS’ virtual fly-in event, Morning Consult published an opinion piece by NACDS president and CEO Steven C. Anderson entitled “How Congress Can Make Consumer Safety a Top Priority in 2021” and urging the introduction of the INFORM Consumers Act.