Buying Medicines Online
Buying medicines (drugs) online is convenient and is often much cheaper than buying medicines from your local pharmacy.
But is it safe?
Some online pharmacies aren’t the state’s listed pharmacies and may not protect your personal information. Many of them don’t even have licensed pharmacists. Some websites sell drugs that may not be safe and can put your health at risk or even harm you.
Why is it so? Some medicines may be fake (counterfeit medicine) and may have dangerous ingredients; may be too strong or too weak; may not be stored or shipped appropriately; and may not be approved for commercial use by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or other regulatory agencies. First of all, no drug should be sold unless is approved by FDA/Health Canada/EMEA (European regulatory agency).
Why is important that a drug is approved by FDA? It is important because this means that you medicine is not only checked for safety but it is also tested for effectiveness. Only those drugs that are proven (in clinical trials) to be safe and effective for tested disease receive FDA approval for commercial distribution.
Buying drugs online can be easy as long as you make sure you are doing it safely. The following tips will help you if you are buying your drugs online.
1. Talk to your doctor and use only medicines that have been prescribed by your doctor.
2. Make sure the website is a state-licensed pharmacy. A state’s board of pharmacy licenses pharmacies in the state. Find a list of state boards of pharmacy on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website at www.nabp.info. The NABP has a program that ensures pharmacies meet state and federal rules and if so these websites display the seal of this program a.k.a. VIPPS seal (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal), www.vipps.info.
3. Safe websites require prescription from your doctor and should have a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions.
4. Look for privacy and security polices that are easy to understand; don’t give your personal information unless you are sure the website is a licensed pharmacy and will keep your information private and safe.
5. Protect yourself and others by reporting the website you have problems with to the FDA. Go to www.fda.gov/buyonline and click on “Notify FDA about problem websites.”
For more information go to: www.fda.gov/buyonline
Leave a Comment