Online way to health: the road unravelled

More and more people are using the Internet when it comes to health care, from researching illnesses, treatment, medicine, and drugs. Everyone has heard about lower-cost drugs and prescriptions available from Canada and overseas (or Mexico), but as with anything, you need to do your research before buying any type or product online.

Most Pharmacy websites carry prescription drugs, but just like in the US, you need a doctor's prescription to obtain them. And some people like the convenience and privacy of buying online. Be sure to read the warning notice below from the Food and Drug Administration about internet pharmacies and drug purchases.

The U.S Pharmacopeia (USP), in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state Board of Pharmacy regulators, establishes quality control standards for all medications dispensed by pharmacies throughout the United States. With the intention of preventing consumers from receiving poor quality or harmful medications from Internet pharmacies, the USP offers two suggestions, which are largely based on common sense.

1 - Determine whether the online pharmacy, you are considering requires a convincing prescription from your doctor before it will dispense medication.

The prescription serves as authentication that you have consulted a physician or other healthcare provider, that a physical assessment has occurred, and that the proper drug has been prescribed for the diagnosis. Simply filling out a questionnaire and/or furnishing only a credit card number is not sufficient for meeting required standards of medical practice.

2 - Confirm that the online pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy in your state or that it is licensed to deliver medications to residents of your state.

You should expect the same level of quality and service from an online pharmacy as from any local pharmacy. In 1904, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) was established for the purpose of assisting state licensing boards with the development, implementation, and enforcement of consistent standards for pharmacies.

The FDA offers the following tips and warnings for online pharmacy customers:

• Purchasing a medication from an illegal website puts you at risk for receiving a contaminated or counterfeit product, an incorrect dose, or no product at all.

• Check with the NABP to see if an online pharmacy is in good standing.

• Don't buy from online pharmacies which will sell to you without a proper prescription or which sells drugs that are not FDA approved.

• Don't use online pharmacies, which do not offer access to a registered pharmacist to answer your questions

• Don't purchase drugs from foreign websites.

• Always consult your healthcare professional prior to taking a drug for the first time.

Daniels Charles, an associated editor to epharma.md, is a contributing author to the http://www.epharma.md/ for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit http://www.epharma.md/ for more information on General Health related issues.Or write to him at epharm@gmail.com . Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice.