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By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
Buying prescription drugs on-line can save you time, keep you dry on cold, rainy nights and provide money-saving offers you can't get at the drugstore.
If you feel embarrassed ordering certain health care products, Internet pharmacies allow you to maintain your anonymity. On-line pharmacies also accept health insurance plans and offer phone consultations with a pharmacist.
So, should you hit the search button now and find the least expensive on-line pharmacy out there? Not so fast! If you value your health, stop and do your homework first.
Illegal pharmacies
Fraudulent on-line pharmacies open and close every day. The same company can have many different Web addresses, making it look like there are more Internet pharmacies than there are. Customers pay for medications they never receive, call to find the phones disconnected and are unable to get their money refunded.
Many on-line pharmacies operate outside of the United States and Canada. The FDA doesn't allow foreign-made medications to be imported into the United States because their safety and effectiveness can't be guaranteed. The countries they come from aren't as safety-oriented as the United States, and the medications usually don't meet FDA standards. These medications often aren't stored properly and can lose their safety and effectiveness.
Although the FDA doesn't allow certain drugs to be dispensed without a prescription, illegal sites often don't require one - asking only that you fill out an on-line questionnaire. This can be extremely dangerous. It's important to be examined by a doctor before taking any medication. Your doctor may uncover a condition you don't know you have. Treating the wrong illness can severely worsen an underlying disease.
FDA warning
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers about receiving counterfeit medications that do not have the important ingredients needed for health effects from internet sites. Some samples obtained by the FDA were composed of only talc and starch.
Finding a safe Website
Take steps to make sure you are dealing with a licensed, certified Internet pharmacy. First, obtain a prescription from a doctor whom you know and trust.
Look for the VIPPS seal
Find a site that has the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal. This seal, granted by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), signifies that the pharmacy is appropriately licensed and legitimately operating on the Internet. To obtain the VIPPS seal, an on-line pharmacy must meet NABP's strict criteria.
A safe Internet pharmacy should:
- Display the VIPPS seal.
- Require a prescription from a doctor licensed in the United States.
- Check each prescription.
- Have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.
If you think a site is operating illegally, go to the FDA's reporting site at www.fda.gov/buyonline and click on "Notify FDA about problem Websites."
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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