Another sign that our medical and pharmaceutical systems are in trouble; people resorting to ordering medication online were shipped the wrong pills, sending some to the hospital. Consumers who thought they were purchasing sleep aids, antidepressants and other drugs over the Internet instead were shipped a powerful antipsychotic.

Preliminary analysis of the pills, packaged in plain plastic bags and mailed in envelopes bearing Greek postmarks, suggest they contain haloperidol. The FDA said it had reports of several consumers who took the pills seeking emergency medical treatment for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, muscle spasms and muscle stiffness.

The FDA used the occasion to remind consumers of the possible dangers of buying prescription drugs online.