By Cara Murez
HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Nov. 18, 2022 (HealthDay Information) — It could be tempting to purchase prescription medicine on-line, however patrons ought to beware, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration warns.
Whereas some pharmacy web sites function legally and might provide comfort, privateness and decrease prices, others could also be promoting unapproved, counterfeit and unsafe medicines, the FDA advises.
Many unsafe on-line pharmacies do exist, providing prescription medicines with out requiring a prescription and promoting them at „deeply discounted“ costs.
These pharmacies might use faux „retailer fronts“ designed to imitate licensed pharmacies. They might indicate or say that their medicines come from international locations with excessive security requirements, in response to the FDA.
But, what they’re promoting might be made anyplace with out security or effectiveness. The medication may be faux or expired.
Be cautious if the net pharmacy doesn’t require a physician’s prescription, the FDA cautioned. Different crimson flags: The pharmacy shouldn’t be licensed in the US or by your state board of pharmacy and does not have a licensed pharmacist on workers to reply questions.
You also needs to beware medication that appears totally different from what you obtain at your common pharmacy, arrives in broken packaging, is labeled in a international language, has no expiration date or is expired.
A worth that appears too good to be true is one other warning signal.
An unsafe on-line pharmacy might not present clear written protections about guarding your private and monetary info, might cost you for merchandise you by no means ordered or acquired, or might promote your info to others.
The medicines from these pharmacies might have an excessive amount of or too little of the lively ingredient that treats your situation. They might comprise a special lively ingredient or a dangerous substance.
These medicines might fail that will help you however may additionally have an sudden interplay with different medicines you’re taking, trigger an allergic response or have a harmful aspect impact. They might not have been saved correctly, which might make them ineffective.
Regardless of all of those issues, it’s nonetheless attainable to discover a protected on-line pharmacy.
The FDA suggests on the lookout for one which all the time requires a physician’s prescription, supplies a bodily handle and phone quantity in the US and has a licensed pharmacist on workers to reply your questions.
This on-line pharmacy must be licensed with a state board of pharmacy. You may verify the pharmacy’s license within the state’s board of pharmacy license database by utilizing the placement software on the FDA’s BeSafeRx web site. Do not use a pharmacy that is not listed.
Extra info
The Nationwide Affiliation of Boards of Pharmacy has extra on efforts to close down unlawful on-line pharmacies.
SOURCE: U.S. Meals and Drug Administration, information launch, Nov. 16, 2022
