Because prescription drug prices in the United States are high, many consumers are turning to the internet to purchase their drugs online. Many of these drugs come from foreign countries, including Canada and Mexico -the two most popular countries from which to purchase medications online. There are some very important considerations to keep in mind when purchasing drugs online, though.

An Increasing Trend

According to September 2004 statistics, approximately one-third of American consumers had bought prescription medications online or had planned to use the internet to buy prescription drugs. Part of the reason the trend for buying medicines online has been increasing in popularity is that drug prices are generally much lower for foreign countries than in the United States, and this is reflected in the prices consumers see for drugs online. But how do consumers know that what they are buying internationally online is the same medication they need?

Doctors and officials alike have advised American consumers to purchase drugs online only from websites that participate in the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites seal program. This program means that the drugs being bought have been manufactured according to the Food and Drug Administration’s standards and that the drugs have been made in inspected facilities. It is also important to avoid ordering drugs from sites that do not require a prescription, medical evaluation, or telephone interview.

Consumers should be aware that what they are buying may not always be the same thing they could get in the United States. For example, drugs produced in countries without the same standards as the drugs monitored by the FDA in the United States may be less potent. The drugs might not even have the same active ingredient -if they do have an active ingredient. Purchasing drugs from a country with a similar regulatory system is a good idea, but you still cannot be completely certain about what you are getting. Sites that allow drugs to be sold without a prescription are suspect to increased vigilance, as consumers may be allowed to purchase products they don’t need.

If you are considering buying drugs on the internet, talk to your doctor first about other options. Or, request a written prescription and call the online pharmacy you are considering to see if they require prescriptions.

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