Buying
Prescription Medicines Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide
The Internet is rapidly changing the way
we live, including how we work and shop. The growth of the
Internet in recent years has enabled many consumers to purchase
medicines online. There are online pharmacies that provide
legitimate prescription services. Unfortunately, there are
also questionable sites that make purchasing perscription
medicines onlin risky.
Potential
risks include:
To
purchase prescription medicines online safely and securely,
here are some basic do's and don'ts:
Meet
with Your Doctor to Obtain Any New Prescription
DO: Take only medications that have been prescribed by your
doctor or other authorized health care provider.
DO: Consult with your doctor on whether you need to take
any special steps in filling your presciption.
DON'T: Buy online from sites that offer to prescribe a medicine
for the first time without a physical exam by your doctor
or that sell a perscription medicine without a prescription.
Ensure that You are Dealing with a Legitimate Pharmacy
DO: Buy only from sites that require prescriptions from
a physician or other authorized health care provider and
that also verify each perscription before dispensing the
medication. A written verification policy is usually posted
on the site.
DO: Use sites that provide convenient access to a licensed
pharmacist who can answer your questions.
DO: 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 (NABP)
at 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 onlin that sell prescription medications
without a presciption.
DON'T: Buy from sites that sell perscription medications
not approved by FDA.
Know from Whom You are Buying
DO: Buy only from U.S.-based sites.
DON'T: Buy from sites without posted customer service policies.
Safeguard Your Privacy and Security
DO: 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.
Trust Your Instincts
DO: Use common sense when purchasing prescription medications
online. Apply the same standards you'd 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.
Take Action to Protect Yourself and Other Consumers
DO: Report problems. If you suspect a site is not a licensed
pharmacy, do not buy medications from it. Report the site
and any complaints to FDA at www.fda.gov/oc/ buyonline/buyonlineform.html.
Buying
prescription medicines online may be a beneficial option
for you and your family. Just make sure you know all the
facts before making a purchase. For additional information,
go to www.fda.gov
and click on "Buying Medicines and Medical Products
Online" or call 1-888-INFOFDA (1-888-463-6332).
source: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/consumer/buyonline/guide.htm
Common typos:
buyng, buyin, buyig, bying, buyngi, byuing, onlin, oline,
onlien, olnine, omline, onlein, onlnei, nline, omline, cnsumer,
cosumer, consmuer, gide, giude
Buying
Prescription Medicines Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide
