Medications via the Internet – Helpful or Harmful?

In early April of 2011, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers that not all medications purchased via the Internet are safe. Although there are reputable companies that provide quality products, the FDA states that “…there are also many ‘rogue websites’ that offer to sell potentially dangerous drugs that have not been checked for safety or effectiveness.”

The scary part is that while many of these “rogue” websites look professional, they are actually providing medications that can negatively affect the health of people who ingest them. For example, these sites have been known to sell unapproved drugs, drugs that contain the wrong ingredients, drugs that contain too much or too little of an ingredient, or drugs that contain dangerous ingredients.

Consider the research the FDA conducted surrounding Internet orders for the following drugs:

• Ambien (zolpidem tartrate)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate)
• Ativan (lorazepam)

During their investigation they found that, “instead of receiving the drug they ordered, several customers received products containing what was identified as foreign versions of Haldol (haloperidol), a powerful anti-psychotic drug. As a result, these customers needed emergency medical treatment for symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, muscle spasms, and muscle stiffness—all problems that can occur with haloperidol.”

Since purchasing medications over the Internet can sometimes save both time and money, how can a consumer make sure to protect him or herself? Fortunately, the FDA provides the following guidelines for picking trustworthy websites over untrustworthy ones.

Signs of a trustworthy website:

• It’s located in the United States.
• It’s licensed by the state board of pharmacy where the website is operating. A list of these boards is available at the website of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
• It has a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.
• It requires a prescription for prescription medicines from your doctor or another health care professional who is licensed to prescribe medicines.
• It provides contact information and allows you to talk to a person if you have problems or questions.

Another way to check on a website is to look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sitesâ„¢ Seal, also known as the VIPPS® Seal.

Signs of an unsafe website

• It sends you drugs with unknown quality or origin.
• It gives you the wrong drug or another dangerous product for your illness.
• It doesn’t provide a way to contact the website by phone.
• It offers prices that are dramatically lower than the competition.
• It may offer to sell prescription drugs without a prescription—this is against the law!
• It may not protect your personal information.

If you are elderly or live in a remote area of the county, online pharmacies may be the answer for you; however, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Also, follow the guidelines above presented by the FDA above to make sure you don’t invest in fake – or even stolen – drugs.

Tweet This Post