The Internet is home to thousands, maybe even millions, of online pharmacies that sell generic and prescription drugs. Some of them legal, some of them not. As anyone would agree, it would next to impossible to estimate the percentage of medications sold on the Internet that are:
- generic
- not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- dispensed without prescription
- marketed with fraudulent health claims
Indeed, the FDA has recently warned the public against buying the following products over the Internet because of their fraudulent claims:
- body building products that are represented to contain steroids or steroid-like substances
- counterfeit versions of Xenical
- Influenza-Related Productsweight loss products
- HIV Home Test Kits
- liquid energy products
It would be very easy to fall for the marketing messages that sellers and manufacturers of such products as mentioned above. After all, who wouldn’t want to lose weight without exercising or prevent family and friends from acquiring potentially lethal influenza viruses. However, these warnings highlight the importance of vigilance in the consumption of drugs and health products sold over the Internet. To avoid being duped by such products, consumers should take time to learn how to safely order medications and health products online. Consumers ought to:
- Confirm whether the online pharmacy is a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) by the U.S. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). It should have the following logo:
VIPPS Logo
- Check whether the online pharmacy has licensed pharmacists that dispense the drugs
- Check whether the online pharmacy has a verified mailing address and customer support telephone line
- Find out if the pharmacy requires proof of prescription before dispensing prescription drugs
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