Out of concern about the increasing trend of purchasing drugs internationally, the Food and Drug Administration has put out a list of 12 drugs not to purchase through foreign venues. This includes purchasing the drugs online or through an American storefront that imports the drugs from foreign sources. American consumers may not be aware that purchasing these drugs internationally can have serious consequences.

The Safety Factor

The twelve drugs recommended not to purchase internationally by the FDA are actually approved by the agency in the United States. Yet the FDA does not recommend them to be bought from foreign sources for several reasons. Primarily, purchasing any of these twelve drugs from a foreign source that is not subject to the FDA’s stringent regulations could be putting consumers in danger. The drugs may not be made of the same ingredients, have the same strength, or they may not be manufactured in approved conditions. Plus, people who do not truly need to take these medications and who purchase them anyway could be putting themselves at large risk for the side effects and potential complications of the drugs.

The FDA has imposed strict regulations on how these drugs are distributed to the public in the United States, so when citizens buy these drugs from foreign venue, they are cutting around these safeguards. If the foreign source is not subject to FDA manufacturing controls or inspection, then it could present a real danger to the citizens who purchase its drugs. The twelve drugs not recommended for purchase include the following: Accutane, Actiq, Clozaril, Humatrope, Lotronex, Mifeprex, Plenaxis, Thalomid, Tikosyn, Tracleur, Trovan, and Xyrem.

Accutane, for example, is used in the treatment of severe acne that has not responded to other prescription medications. The medication is sold under strict regulations in the United States because it has the potential for very serious side effects. People who purchase the drug must sign a form stating they understand their risks. These risks include an extremely high potential for severe birth defects. Women who take the drug are recommended to abstain from sex or use two forms of effective birth control, as the drug can result in very serious defects. There is also an increased risk for the development of mental problems or suicidal thoughts.

Lotronex is another example. The drug is for women with irritable bowel syndrome that has not responded to other treatments. It can have very severe interactions including constipation or effects that may result in needing a blood transfusion or surgery. Death may also occur rarely. These severe side effects may happen in one out of every 1,000 women.

Keep these risks and these drugs in mind when considering purchasing drugs from foreign sources.

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