|
|
Online Pharmacy
> Prescription Drugs &
Medications: A to D E to L M to Q R to Z
|
|
||||||||||||||
Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A
Consumer Safety Guide
The Internet is rapidly changing the way we live, including how
we work and shop. The growth of the Internet in recent years has
enabled many consumers to purchase medicines online. There are
online pharmacies that provide legitimate prescription services.
Unfortunately, there are also questionable sites that make
purchasing medicines online risky.
Potential risks include:
Fake, unapproved, outdated, or sub-standard products
Little or no quality control (packaging, purity of ingredients,
storage)
Possibility of an incorrect diagnosis (i.e., those sites that
inappropriately diagnose and prescribe online)
Obtaining an inappropriate medicine (e.g., inappropriate for
condition, interaction with other drugs)
Lack of assurance of confidentiality and security issues
To purchase medicines online safely and securely, here are some
basic do's and don'ts:
Meet with Your Doctor to Obtain Any New Prescription
DO: Take only medications that have been prescribed by your
doctor or other authorized health care provider.
DO: Consult with your doctor on whether you need to take any
special steps in filling your prescription.
DON'T: Buy online from sites that offer to prescribe a medicine
for the first time without a physical exam by your doctor or that
sell a prescription medicine without a prescription.
Ensure that You are Dealing with a Legitimate Pharmacy
DO: Buy only from sites that require prescriptions from a
physician or other authorized health care provider and that also
verify each prescription before dispensing the medication. A
written verification policy is usually posted on the site.
DO: Use sites that provide convenient access to a licensed
pharmacist who can answer your questions.
DO: Make sure that the site is a licensed pharmacy in good
standing in your state. Check with your state board of pharmacy
or with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) at
www.nabp.net. Some sites display the NABP VIPPS™ (Verified
Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal, an assurance that such
sites are meeting all applicable state and federal requirements.
DON'T: Buy from sites that sell prescription medicines without a
prescription.
DON'T: Buy from sites that sell medicines not approved by FDA.
Know from Whom You are Buying
DO: Buy only from U.S.-based sites.
DON'T: Buy from sites without posted customer service policies.
Safeguard Your Privacy and Security
DO: Look for easy-to-find and understand privacy and security
policies.
DON'T: Provide any personally identifiable information (social
security number, credit card, and health history) unless you are
confident that the site will protect them. Make sure the site
does not share your information with others without your
permission.
Trust Your Instincts
DO: Use common sense when purchasing prescription medications
online. Apply the same standards you'd use for any place of
business when looking for a reputable pharmacy site.
DON'T: Buy from sites that include undocumented case histories
claiming amazing medical results.
Take Action to Protect Yourself and Other Consumers
DO: Report problems. If you suspect a site is not a licensed
pharmacy, do not buy from it. Report the site and any complaints
to FDA at www.fda.gov/oc/ buyonline/buyonlineform.html.
Buying prescription medicines online may be a beneficial option
for you and your family. Just make sure you know all the facts
before making a purchase. For additional information, go to www.fda.gov
and click on "Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online"
or call 1-888-INFOFDA (1-888-463-6332).
A public service message from the CybeRxSmart Safety Coalition:
Working to provide information about online medications.
American Pharmaceutical Association
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
CornerDrugstore.com
CVS.com
drugstore.com
Federal Trade Commission
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Community Pharmacists Association
National Council on Patient Information and Education
National Patient Safety Foundation
PlanetRx.com
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Health and consumer organizations and businesses are encouraged
to join and participate in the CybeRx-Smart Safety Coalition.
Call (301)656-8565 for details.
Source:
FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Last Updated: February 28, 2001
www.fda.gov
Description, key indexing terms, synonyms and misspellings:
Description: Listing of Online Pharmacy offering Prescription
Drugs & Medications without Prescription! These On line
pharmacies claim that you can order any drug you need with No
Prescription! They say Order Drugs Online! Xanax, Wellbutrin,
Valium and thousands more! About Canadians Pharmacies and Mexican
Pharmacies. Do you really Pay Less! They ask you to Purchase your
drug medication from Canada or Mexico: "we pay less for
prescription drugs. Save up to 50%! No prescription drug needed.
Your Online Pharmacy with Free Consultations Free Shipping
Savings: " Are these Registered Pharmacy? Can you really
compares and find the BEST and APPROVED online pharmacies? Do
they offer the Lowest prices? Some drug store claims that you can
Save Money On Prescription Drugs! " Buy Prescription
Medications Online. Cheapest prices for prescription drugs and
other health products and services."
Please read the above article: Buying
Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide