Government Concerns About Online Pharmacies
By Aaron Larson
Law Offices of Aaron Larson
July, 2003
Contents
Health Concerns
There are valid health concerns associated with online prescriptions, including whether the patient has other health concerns which might be affected by a prescription drug. While most pharmacies that offer online prescription services limit themselves to offering drugs that are relatively safe even when misused, any presciption medication can pose health risks or can result in a negative interaction with other prescription and non-prescription medications, and even with dietary supplements. A doctor can advise a patient about side-effects, and warning signs that indicate that the patient should stop taking a medication. An online pharmacy may provide little guidance, typically at most providing written instruction about taking the drug.
Additionally, overseas pharmacies may be selling a different formulation of a medication. Even if the patient has been physically examined and was issued a prescription in person, the dosage may not be optimal if the overseas formulation is different.
Counterfeit Medication
Further, some pharmacies have been known to sell expired or counterfeit medication. While this risk is relatively low if a patient is able to confirm that the purchase is being fulfilled through a U.S. or Canadian pharmacy, or even a reputable Mexican pharmacy, some vendors intentionally defraud consumers. There is a secondary market for medications which are approaching their expiration dates, and an online pharmacy may be more interested in maximizing its profits than in providing quality product. For those which sell counterfeit drugs, the customer may be paying hundreds of dollars for nothing more than a few cents worth of sugar pills.
Pharmaceutical Industry Lobbying
The U.S. government has responded to intensive lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry by limiting the import of prescription medications. When people order presciption drugs from other countries, the lower prices they pay translate into lower profits for drug manufacturers. While groups that represent older Americans and concerns over rising health care costs are lobbying sympathetic members of Congress to legalize the import of prescription medications, the trend is toward increased restriction. At present, while you can bring up to a 90 day supply of a medication with you on your person when you return from a foreign country, you may no longer import a controlled substance. Import by other means, such as by mail order, is no longer permitted, and any drug shipments that are detected will be seized at the border.
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