Buying Medication Online
How Safe Is Purchasing Pharmaceuticals on the Web?
Instead of saving money, consumers are actually paying more for drugs online. That’s according to a year-long FDA study. The US Food and Drug Administration investigation found that many Americans are buying drugs from overseas companies to avoid obtaining a doctor’s prescription. The FDA warns that buying from unregulated Internet drug sellers is not only expensive…it can be deadly. Many of the products may have the wrong ingredients and could contain toxic substances.
In fact, buying FDA-approved generic drugs online will save you money if you know where to look:
- Buy from a licensed pharmacy. Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. They can tell you whether an online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing. Look for a seal of approval from Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site. A VIPPS approval means the pharmacy maintains a state license.
- Insist on speaking with a registered pharmacist. Reputable sites will list a toll-free number where you can talk to a pharmacist directly. Ask questions about the medication and dosing instructions before you buy.
- Read privacy and security policies before you place an order. Make sure the pharmacy will secure your credit card number and protect your personal health information.
- Guard against counterfeit drugs. Instead of receiving the medicine you purchased, you could end up getting a placebo or harmful doses of the wrong drug. Be wary if the site contains no telephone contact information, if the price seems too good to be true, or if they tell you no prescription is needed. Look for unsealed packaging. Also know what your medicine looks like, including the shape, color, taste and texture. Drugs that treat cholesterol, erectile dysfunction and weight loss are often the most counterfeited.
- Don’t buy any medication that is not FDA approved. You don’t know what you’re getting and the consequences could be life-threatening.
- Avoid online drug stores based in a foreign country. There are legitimate international sites but the safety standards are different and the same medication may have a different name. So you really don't know what you're getting.
- Don’t bypass a physician’s prescription. Your doctor needs to prescribe and monitor your medications. Ask him/her to recommend a pharmacy, either online or local. Always ask if there is a generic alternative.
And remember, there are no "miracle cures," only scammers out to steal your money.
Sources: US Food And Drug Administration, Mayo Clinic
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