Use Caution Buying Prescription Drugs Online
What are they?
Prescription drugs are substances that are intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent medical conditions or diseases. Before they can be legally marketed, they must undergo clinical studies on their safety and effectiveness and be approved by the FDA. The agency approves a drug if its experts determine that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks associated with it.
But no drug is absolutely safe; there is always some level of risk.
Problem sites
One way that illegitimate Web sites violate the FD&C Act is by dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription. FDA leaves it to individual states to decide what is a valid prescription. Web sites cannot dispense drugs in violation of those laws or with no prescription at all.
In general, to be valid:
But some Web sites dispense drugs after customers simply fill out an online questionnaire or engage in some other similar cyber "consultation."
In June 2004, experts at the Government Accountability Office, reported that, as part of an investigation, they were able to obtain most of the prescription drugs they set out to order from various Internet pharmacy sites without needing to provide a prescription. Some of the drugs had special safety restrictions or were addictive narcotic painkillers.
The FDA has taken action against Web sites selling drug products that are unapproved, misbranded, or that make fraudulent health claims. Misbranded drugs include:
Risks
When you buy drugs from a questionable Web site, you just don't know what you're actually getting. The main concerns are that the drugs could be:
Between February 2004 and August 2004, the NABP received more than 100 consumer complaints alleging harm related to buying drugs online.
As for drugs imported from countries outside of the United States, the FDA can't assure their safety.
Regulation
State medical boards regulate medical practice and state pharmacy boards regulate pharmacy practice. It is generally unlawful to prescribe or dispense drugs without a legitimate relationship between the health care provider and the patient. Penalties may include fines and license suspensions.
When Internet operators violate the FD&C Act, the FDA, sometimes in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, may take enforcement action against a firm. Enforcement actions might take the form of:
Tips
This helps to assure that the consumer will receive drugs that are manufactured, packaged, distributed, and labeled properly.
A Web site can look very sophisticated and legitimate, but actually be an illegal operation, consumers should be especially wary if:
People should check with their state board of pharmacy or NABP to see if an online pharmacy has a valid pharmacy license and meets state quality standards.
