| |
FDA Tips for Consumers
Tips and Warnings for Consumers
With hundreds of drug-dispensing Websites in business, how can consumers
tell which sites are legitimate ones, especially when it is very easy
to set up a site that is very professional looking and promises deep discounts
or a minimum of hassles? If you buy medical products online, be aware
of the following dangers:
- Purchasing a medication from an illegal Website puts you at risk.
You may receive a contaminated or counterfeit product, the wrong product,
an incorrect dose, or no product at all.
- Taking an unsafe or inappropriate medication puts you at risk for
dangerous drug interactions and other serious health consequences.
- Getting a prescription drug by filling out a questionnaire without
seeing a doctor poses serious health risks. A questionnaire does not
provide sufficient information for a health-care professional to determine
if that drug is for you or safe to use, if another treatment is more
appropriate, or if you have an underlying medical condition where using
that drug may be harmful. The American Medical Association has determined
that this practice is generally substandard medical care. FDA agrees;
FDA offers these tips to consumers who buy health products online:
- Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net,
(847) 698-6227) to determine whether a Website is a licensed pharmacy
in good standing.
- Don't buy from sites that offer to prescribe a prescription drug for
the first time without a physical exam, sell a prescription drug without
a prescription, or sell drugs not approved by FDA.
- Don't do business with sites that have no access to a registered pharmacist
to answer questions.
- Avoid sites that do not identify with whom you are dealing and do
not provide a U.S. address and phone number to contact if there's a
problem.
- 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.
- Don't purchase from foreign Websites at this time because generally
it will be illegal to import the drugs bought from these sites, the
risks are greater, and there is very little the U.S. government can
do if you get ripped off.
- Beware of sites that advertise a "new cure" for a serious
disorder or a quick cure-all for a wide range of ailments.
- Be careful of sites that use impressive-sounding terminology to disguise
a lack of good science or those that claim the government, the medical
profession, or research scientists have conspired to suppress a product.
- Steer clear of sites that include undocumented case histories claiming
"amazing" results.
- Talk to your health-care professional before using any medications
for the first time.
(Source: http://www.fda.gov)
|
