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contain bad or contaminated ingredients or outdated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Presently the FDA,Department of Justice,and State agencies are cracking down on this illegal sites that promote outdated,contaminated,or unapproved drugs from other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)
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