Viagra And All Those Generic Pharmacy Imports - Who's Right
About The Legalities And The Quality?
There are thousands (and that's a conservative estimate) of
Online Pharmacies that sell all kinds of generic (and sometimes
brand) drugs to the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of
people who take advantage of the incredibly low prices that the
SAME medication can be purchased for in this manner. Almost
since the conception of this practice, which can be duly traced
to the popularity and success of the Internet, there has been
discussion as to the legality or, at least, the philosophical
matters surrounding the practice.
Recently, more especially because of some developments in the US
(by far the highest user of this 'service'), there have been
some Online Pharmacies deciding to "err on the side of caution"
and stop accepting orders into the US. Strangely enough, though,
at least some are continuing to supply to other countries? I
mean, it's either legal or it's not, as far as I'm concerned.
So, I decided to do some research.
I think a good choice for an example would be Viagra (or generic
versions of the drug), the original brand made by Pfizer. Their
patent, I believe, runs out in 2113, having been taken out in
1993 (20 years is the norm in this industry). I am NOT a lawyer,
nor do I have any specific training that would qualify me to
report with any authority however, I do have a brain, which
works quite well (better than some lawyers, I expect :-).
I chose Viagra because I believe it would have to be the drug
most sought after and procured in generic form from outside of
the US. I also chose it because, being an Affiliate marketer,
generic Viagra has been responsible for part (not quite half,
but still a reasonable amount) of my online income in the past
couple of years. Also, a large portion of the sales through
which I earned my income came from people in the US.
So sensibly, my research concerns the one drug I have the most
knowledge and experience with, Viagra and its generic
equivalents. The following has been revealed, in my opinion,
with regard to the sale and importation of Viagra or versions of
Generic Viagra and the shipping thereof directly to the USERS of
the medication:
Again, I stress, this is certainly of no legal value or use
as I am NOT a qualified legal advisor.
Firstly, it is, and has been for some time, quite legal for
individuals to import, either personally or by mail up to a 90
day supply of any prescription drug for which they have a need.
Up until the Internet and Online Pharmacies became available, a
patient would need to physically go overseas to effect such a
transaction and importation but now, of course, it can be
arranged in seconds online. Consequently, I see no problem with
legalities in this regard at all, so long as the supply does not
exceed 90 days for the individual and there is a valid need and
a valid prescription for the Viagra (or Generic Viagra).
I have found that even if a person is unfortunate enough to have
their medication 'seized' by Customs, all they need to do is
prove that the drug is for their personal use and the quantity
does not exceed a 90 day supply and the package will be given
over to the individual (hopefully with an apology...). So, in my
view, shipping Viagra or generic Viagra directly to individuals
who have personally arranged for up to a 90 day supply to be
sent, is not illegal as far as my research has been able to
ascertain.
Naturally, none of this pertains to 'controlled substances' such
as opiates and tranquillizers etc. Essentially those considered
overly dangerous drugs or drugs of addiction. Apart from the
fact that these drugs are generally NOT obtained in 90 day
supplies, they also have special regulations and certain
authority needs to be granted for extended use of these drugs.
A quick word on the quality, safety and controls regarding
generic drugs from overseas.
There has been much 'hoo-ha' from the naysayer about the quality
and even safety of EVERY overseas drug. I wonder how people from
the UK, Australia, Japan, Europe and Asia manage to get better
when they are sick, if this is actually the case?? Are Americans
the only people in the world that can obtain a pure
pharmaceutical when they are in need of medication?? Of course,
it's not the case at all. Anyone who simply does not trust
overseas drugs because they 'COME FROM OVERSEAS' is some kind of
idiot. In fact, many of the medications sold in the US through
'bricks and mortar' Pharmacies actually come from overseas.
Also, in many cases, the ingredients come from such countries as
India, Europe, and China etc. Pharmaceuticals from virtually all
countries are subject to the same sort of controls that the US
FDA enforce. In fact, in India, they have their own authority,
surprisingly enough, called the FDA... In the very few countries
that may not have such an agency, W.H.O. (the World Health
Organization) ensures the quality, safety and correct dosages
etc.
Most people SHOULD know that the likes of W.H.O, the RED CROSS
and WORLD VISION etc make use of generic drugs, all the time, in
order to greatly reduce their drug costs.
Of course, as with everything, there is an immoral element that
will try to take advantage of a booming industry with forgeries
or poor quality products etc. However, for the most part, the
generic Viagra (and other drugs) sold through 99% of Online
Pharmacies are in every way as good as the brand name Viagra. As
usual, this tiny minority casts doubt over a perfectly
legitimate industry.
It's unfortunate that there are many, many people in developed
countries like the US that are unable to access the drugs they
need because of financial constraints. Online Pharmacies
together with generic equivalent drugs make it possible for many
of these people to gain access to proper medical treatment. Even
middle-income families gain so much because of the ENORMOUS
savings that can be made on just one drug. To find out more
about the reasons why generic drugs are the same but so cheap,
see the 'About Generic Drugs' feature, which
is located on all of my pharmacy websites.
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