The California State Board of Pharmacy issued three citations demanding a total of $88.7 million in fines against a Los Angeles pharmacy and two pharmacists for allegedly filling Internet prescriptions in violation of California law.

"Through this action, the Board is sending a strong message to pharmacists that they have a duty to protect patients and fill prescriptions the safe and legal way," said Gov. Gray Davis.

According to the citations, Total Remedy and Prescription Center II, located at 6064 West Olympic Boulevard, and pharmacists Barry Irvin and William Charles Packer, filled more than 3,500 prescriptions in violation of California law. The law, authored by Senator Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), which was signed by Gov. Davis on September 24, 2000, makes it illegal for Internet pharmacies to fill prescriptions without a "good faith prior medical examination" by a California licensed doctor.

Total Remedy and Prescription Center II filled prescriptions written by doctors not licensed in California, according to an eight-month investigation conducted by the Board of Pharmacy. The Board contends that consumers ordered the drugs via credit card by simply logging on to a website and filling out an online questionnaire. The Board alleges that in many cases, customers paid more for the drugs than if they had gone through regular medical channels.

The new law gives the Board of Pharmacy authority to issue citations. Fines can be as much as $25,000 for each violation. Total Remedy and Prescription Center II and the two pharmacists have 30 days to request a hearing to appeal the charges.