Is Buying Prescription Dugs Online a Dangerous Game?
The internet has grown tremendously in the last 5-10 years with
approximately 56 million web pages and counting. The sale of
prescription drugs online is growing rapidly.
Although most on line pharmacies adhere to regulations, There
are a few who do not, and are putting our citizens health at
risk.
Prescription drug sales online can provide great benefits to the
consumers. Benefits include, 24 hour shopping from the comfort
of your home,access to drugs for the homebound or disabled
persons, privacy for those who don't want to talk in private
about their medical condition, and the number of products
available.But you must understand the potential risks and stay
away from illegitimate sites.
So what are the risks in ordering drugs from these sites?
* Risk of suffering adverse events which could be life
threatening which include potential side effects from a
medication inadequately prescribed by an unlicensed pharmacy. *
A risk from receiving contaminated drugs,as well as the possible
ill effects of impure or unknown ingredients found in drugs
manufactured under substandard conditions * Risk when
unknowingly purchasing counterfeit copies that contain bad or
contaminated ingredients or outdated legitimate drugs that get
into the hands of illegitimate resellers.
Ok, so how do you find an online pharmacy who follow FDA and
State regulations? The following are a few items to help you
search the web.
* Stay away from spam that arrives in your bulk e-mail. Most of
them are just trying to sell the type of drugs discussed above.
* Only order from a state licensed pharmacy that prescribes FDA
approved pharmaceuticals. * Make sure the pharmacy has a toll
free phone number so you can contact them for consultations or
if you have a question concerning your medication. * Only
purchase your meds from a licensed pharmacy that employs only
licensed physicans and pharmacies.
Presently the FDA,Department of Justice,and State agencies are
cracking down on this illegal sites that promote
outdated,contaminated,or unapproved drugs from other
countries.This is a vast undertaking due to the size of the
internet and the number of illegal sites. This will be an
ongoing job for a long time.But you as educated consumers can
help by not purchasing drugs from this sites and reporting
illegal sites to the authorities.
Henny J E Cyberpharmies and the role of FDA. J Med Internet res
2001;3(1)