Buying medications online

Internet pharmacies have increased in popularity over the last few years. Although pharmacies provide customers with a convenient, private, and affordable way to buy prescription medications, the use of online pharmacies can be a safety concern, particularly when unapproved drugs are dispensed.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) conducted a review of over 5,000 internet pharmacies and found that 96% of online pharmacies are not in compliance with the laws and regulations set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medications dispensed by these non-compliant pharmacies may be unapproved by the FDA and contain the wrong ingredients, too much or too little of an active ingredient, or even dangerous substances. For example, recently the FDA purchased and analyzed several products claiming to be Tamiflu, a medication commonly used to treat flu. When analyzed, some of the products did not even contain the active ingredient found in Tamiflu, but instead contained a common over-the-counter pain reliever, acetaminophen (Tylenol).

In order to protect the public from the dangers of illegal online pharmacies, the NABP has set forth guidelines to help identify websites from which prescription drugs may be safely ordered. Signs of a trustworthy website include a valid physical address in the United States, a license by the State Board of Pharmacy where the website is in service, and a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions. Prior to dispensing the medication, internet pharmacies should require a valid prescription from a physician who has physically examined the patient and determined the prescribed medication to be an appropriate treatment. Some illegal online pharmacies issue a prescription without a physical medical examination, which may result in an incorrect diagnosis and/or treatment.

The NABP has also developed a program, Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS), to help reduce confusion and ensure customer safety. This program places a hyperlink seal on a pharmacy website (image shown below). When a customer clicks on this seal, they should be linked to the VIPPS website which contains information about the particular pharmacy website they are visiting. The VIPPS seal verifies that the pharmacy has met state licensure requirements as well as the NABP criteria for a valid pharmacy practice. An additional tool for consumers to use when considering an online pharmacy is a list of approved online sites provided by the NABP. (www.nabp.net/vipps/consumer/listall.asp).

Online pharmacies can provide benefits for patients and their healthcare as long as precautions are taken to ensure their privacy and safety. The NABP is continuing to research internet pharmacies in order to help educate the public on the dangers of buying prescriptions online. With a little research and the use of the VIPPS seal, consumers can help ensure the safety of their health and privacy information.

Nicole Day, PharmD