Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network
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PURCHASING SAFE DRUGS OVER THE INTERNET
Edited by: Marissa Bunning, Ph.D., Mary Schroeder, M.S., R.D, Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Colorado State - Spring 2007
With ever-growing popularity of Internet commerce, almost anything is now available to purchase online with just the touch of a button. Online shopping can be a quick, easy, and economical option when buying certain products, but there are definite risks when it comes to things such as medicines and prescription drugs purchased over the internet. Many websites now offer medicines and prescription drugs for sale with deals that often seem too good to be true, with low prices, guaranteed safety, and quick delivery. However, prescription drug websites are not strictly regulated or monitored; thus, often these products may be unapproved, unsafe, and illegally prescribed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to warn consumers about the risks of buying drugs over the Internet. Recently, the FDA began an analysis of tablets purchased from several online sites after consumers complained to a U.S. pharmaceutical company about frightening side effects from the drugs. Some recipients of the tablets, which were originally postmarked in Greece, complained of difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, and muscle stiffness after taking the product. The FDA later found that the tablets contained haloperidol, an anti-psychotic drug that is prescribed for schizophrenia. Although the packages were sent from Greece, information about the production and processing of the tablets is yet unknown. According to the FDA, identification of specific vendors and drug producers is difficult due to deceptive practices by some websites that market these products.
While there is little protection for consumers who purchase drugs over the Internet, some resources are available for those who are concerned about safety of these products. In existence since 1904 is the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), whose purpose has been to help state licensing boards develop and enforce standards to keep pharmaceuticals safe. NABP members include pharmacy boards from the United States, District of Columbia, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Responding to concern over the safety of online pharmaceutical shopping, the NABP in 1999 set up the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program to develop criteria for legitimate pharmaceutical vendors to follow. In establishing the VIPPS program, state and federal regulatory associations, professional associations, and consumer advocacy groups worked together to form standards that pharmacies must meet in order to be VIPPS-accredited. For instance, a pharmaceutical vendor must comply with specific state licensing and inspection requirements for each state in which it sells products. Pharmacies or pharmacy sites also must demonstrate compliance with criteria such as guarantee of patients' rights to privacy, authentication of prescription orders, and availability of pharmacists for consultation. The NABP maintains information about member pharmacy outlets on its website at: www.nabp.net/.
In addition, the FDA provides consumer tips for buying prescriptions online, along with precautions about what to avoid. The guidelines stress that many websites are not licensed pharmacies, often sell unsafe products, and may not protect personal information. The FDA cautions that prescription drug websites should adhere to the following:
- Be based in the United States;
- Be licensed by a state pharmacy board;
- Have a licensed pharmacist available for consumer queries;
- Require a prescription from a licensed physician in order to obtain products.
Meanwhile, the FDA continues to urge consumers to be cautious about buying drugs over the Internet, and recommends reviewing the detailed guidelines online before making a purchase. Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide is available at www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/.
Sources:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Alerts Consumers to Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Purchased Over the Internet. Feb. 16, 2007. Available at: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01564.html.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide. October 4, 2006. Available at: www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). Available at: www.nabp.net/.
