In the News – FDA is Raising Awareness About Dangers of Buying Pharmaceuticals Online
Snippet from the article:
The name of the Food and Drug Adminsitration’s new public awareness campaign, “BeSafeRx,” has the same ring to it as the websites you aren’t supposed to be trusting: “expressrx4les,” “healthydrugsonline,” “ineedmypill.com” and 10,000 others that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy identified and recommends against.
It also comes off, at first glance, as a bit of a no-brainer. Don’t buy pills from the people spamming your inbox — it’s like not accepting unwrapped Halloween candy from your creepy neighbor, except riskier. But the FDA’s survey of over 6,000 people revealed that only 13 percent of those who had purchased drugs online checked to see if the site was licensed. Almost one in five admitted to purchasing medications from websites that weren’t affiliated with their local pharmacy or health insurance plan, and 47 percent of those same people relied on comments and reviews to verify the drugs’ safety.
Read the rest — How Legit Are Pillz-4-Cheap Websites?
On one hand, I get why people might be tempted to buy prescription drugs online — price and embarrassment being key issues. On the other hand, there are reasons why prescription drugs require a prescription, and you’re taking a huge risk when buying from these unlicensed and illegal websites.
How can you be sure you’re actually getting the right medication? How can you be sure you’re not actually doing yourself more harm than good? How do you know if you even NEED the medication that you’re buying? If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.
I am glad that they do not actually make it illegal or shut down these sites. Let people decide the risk for themselves.
Odd statement. Would you be happy if they allowed an unregulated airline to fly that kills hundreds but let ‘people decide their own risk’?
Some enterprises do need protection for the public.
Yes, Airline company who kills their passenger will not have a good reputation.
But they should be free to continue targeting unsuspecting customers? That’s sadly uncaring about your fellow human beings.
yes. I doubt they will be in business for long. If i for whatever reason want to fly with these airline, its my choice and I assume all the risk. If i’m not aware of the risk then well its my fault, i don’t blame anybody.
jazk…the problem 9and the fallacy of your argument is that – in the absence of information on what these drugs contain…individuals are not informed and can not decide for ‘themselves’. of course, if one does not believe in regulation of seat belts, motorcycle helmets, environmental protection, licensing of health professions, EPA standards, drug labeling, etc, etc, etc.. and advocates an ‘I’ll assume the risk’ mentality, my advice is: good luck with your web-based Viagra prescription that is contaminated with a arrhythmic drug.