Keep aware of buying medication online
2007-02-28
Keep aware of buying medication online
Filed Under Health Care, Diet, Health Tips, Cholesterol, Drug, Exercise, Fat, FDA, Lose Weight |
NEWS on the death of a 33-year-old housewife who succumbed to kidney commplications allegedly caused by a slimming pill regime some weeks ago is an indication of a disturbing trend in the purchase of medical and medicinal products among Internet user.
Rather than getting advice from the respective experts and authorities in the field, many are buying drugs and medication through offline and online channels based on decisions made either on information made available in advertisements, cheaper pricing or the sheer lure of being able to beat the system and getting their hands on controlled drugs.
What many are not aware of is that by making that purchase - particularly those made online, consumers are actually exposing themselves to a number of risks.
Firstly, there is no way to confirm the origin of the medical product. Secondly, there is no guarantee the product is genuine and whether its conntent is actually safe from consumption. Third, should there be complications, would there be a way for legal recourse.
The Health Ministry has time and again advised the public not to be so naive as to believe all that is stated about products in online advertiseements.
Using these drugs, the Ministry says, involves high risks because the information on the effects might be false, while the medication might be fake.
MoH is not alone in its line of action.
US-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also recently reissued its warning to consumers about the possible dangers of buying prescription drugs online such as Arnbien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan.
The entity has urged consumers to review the FDA Web site for information before buying medication over the Internet.
In its Web site, FDA says preliminary laboratory analysis of the misrepresented tablets show that they contain haloperridol, the active ingredient in a prescription drug used primarily to treat schizophrenia.
FDA learnt about these mislabelled and potentially dangerous products after their
recipients complained to a US pharmaceutical manufacturer.
The entity is now urging consumers to notify their healthcare provider and report the suspected products to FDA by submitting a prodduct quality problem report at a dedicated Web site.
In the mean time, FDA is investigating this illicit trade and plans to release appropriiate information when it is available.
Internet consumers too should take it upon themselves to report any discrepancies in expected efffects of the medical products they purchased through online channels. This would allow the authorities to take the appropriate actions and subsequently, save the lives of others.
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