It’s buyer beware when it comes to purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet, but the Food and Drug Administration is looking to weed out some of the bad apples. The agency said it sent warning letters to 136 off-shore web sites that are illegally selling drugs to U.S. consumers.
The concern is that drugs sold by these web sites could pose a danger to consumers. "Many U.S. consumers are being misled in the hopes of saving money by purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet from illegal pharmacies," FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., said in a statement. "Unfortunately, these drugs are often counterfeit, contaminated, or unapproved products, or contain an inconsistent amount of the active ingredient."
The agency said it also notified Internet service providers and domain name registrars that the web sites were violating U.S. law. The providers and registrars could terminate the sites or suspend use of the domain names. The FDA did not identify the web sites, but said that they did not represent U.S. or Canadian pharmacies.
Authorities from 26 countries participated in the crackdown, which was part of an international weeklong effort to curb illegal sale of drugs over the Internet. During the week, FDA officials worked with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service, to intercept shipments of pharmaceuticals from these rogue web sites.
Get your prescription meds for less
For consumers, lowering your prescription drug costs is an important issue, and there several safe ways to go about it. Most grocery and big-box stores, such as Costco and Walmart, now offer dozens of generics for $4 or less; and many independent pharmacies are likely to match those prices if you ask. Also too, Web sites too like AARP.org, CVS.com, Familymeds.com and Homemed.com also offer inexpensive choices. Plus, DestinationRx.com (a ConsumerReportsHealth.org partner site) can help you compare drugs and prices for your location.
If you do decide to purchase your medications online, stick with pharmacies that carry the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site) seal, which is awarded by the National Boards of Pharmacy.For more information, read our advice on how to get the best price on drugs and what to look out for when purchasing medicines via the Internet.
—Steve Mitchell, associate editor, Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
Do you have a chronic condition or are you taking multiple medications and paying a lot for your prescription drugs? Take a look at our free, cost-saving Best Buy Drugs reportson medications in 23 drug categories, including heartburn drugs, ACE inhibitors, and antidepressants.
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