Buying Prescription Medicines Online

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Buying Prescription
Medicines Online

Americans spend more time online than people in other countries, with home users averaging 13 hours online per month. Female users accounted for 50.4% of U.S Internet users in May 2000, compared to only 38% in 1996. In particular, the number of women over age 55 who are online users increased 109% during the year.

Considering that women often coordinate their family's medical care, and that websites dispensing health information are among the fastest-growing of all new sites, shopping for medicines and other health care products online is growing in popularity, too.

If you choose to purchase prescription medicines online, do so from reputable sites, and recognize the risks involved in purchasing medicines from questionable, "rogue" sites. Potential risks include:

Fake, unapproved, outdated, or substandard medications;
Little or no quality control (packaging, purity of ingredients, storage);
Possibility of an incorrect diagnosis (from sites that diagnose and prescribe online);
Possibility of obtaining an inappropriate medicine;
Breach of patient confidentiality and insecure transactions.

Here are some basic do's and don'ts to ensure safe, secure purchasing of medicines online, including:

Meet with your Doctor to Obtain any New Prescription:

Take only medications that have been prescribed by your doctor or other authorized health care provider.
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 physician exam by your doctor, or that sell a prescription medicine without a prescription.

Ensure that You are Dealing with a Legitimate Pharmacy:

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.
Use sites that provide convenient access to a licensed pharmacist who can answer your questions.
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 at http://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.

Know from Whom You are Buying:

Buy only from U.S.-based sites. It's illegal and unsafe to buy prescription medicines from foreign sites.
DON'T buy from sites without posted customer service policies.

Safeguard Your Privacy and Security:

Look for easy-to-find and understand privacy and security policies.
DON'T provide any personally-identifiable information (such as social security number, credit card, medical 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:

Use common sense when purchasing prescription medicines online. Apply the same standards you would 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.

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Take Action to Protect Yourself and Other Consumers:

Report problems. If you suspect a site is illegal, do not buy from it. Report the site and any complaints to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm

More information on buying drugs and medical devices online from the FDA