Consumer Tips

Online Pharmacies

Online pharmacies have sprung up in Canada and other countries in response to strong demand by U.S. patients trying to find a way around high prices charged for prescription drugs in the United States. These consumers have come to realize the same drugs are sold at considerably lower prices in foreign pharmacies. Internet entrepreneurs, seeing this demand, are responding by creating online pharmacies.

At present, U.S. law does not permit United States citizens to import prescription drug products that are commercially available in the United States. Foreign pharmacies are prohibited from participating in any scheme to accommodate such imports. Consumers buying commercially available drugs risk having their medicines confiscated by the U.S. Customs Service and losing any money paid for the drugs and shipping fees. U.S. laws do not make exceptions for importing U.S. or foreign manufactured drugs for lower costs.

When doing business with an online pharmacy, here are some tips to consider:

1. Does the pharmacy's website show a street address, full telephone number and the name of the registered pharmacist?

2. Who licenses the pharmacy, is the licensing authority identified, and is the license current? In BC's case the pharmacy should be licensed by the College of BC Pharmacists: www.bcpharmacists.org. Please note, if you deal with an online pharmacist that offers drugs from a Canadian pharmacist, not all drugs dispensed may be from Canada. There are cases of drugs coming from other foreign countries, and may be unregulated counterfeit medicine.

3. Does the pharmacy provide a way to get additional information and counseling about your treatment plan?

4. Do you have to provide an original written prescription by mail to the pharmacy to begin the order? Do you need a physical exam or a doctor's report for the first purchase?

5. What verification process will the pharmacy use to check with your doctor about subsequent refills?

6. Does the pharmacy try to limit your choices of prescriptions from manufacturers in any way?

7. What safeguards does the pharmacy use to protect your confidentiality and personal health information? What customer service policies are posted online?

8. If you are traveling, can you visit the pharmacy, and will it mail your prescriptions to another address?

9. Beware of online pharmacies that advertise "new" cures for serious diseases or quick cure-alls for a wide range of ailments. Be careful of online pharmacies that use "amazing" results or testimonials to back up medical claims instead of good science and independent studies.

10. Always talk to your doctor or health-care provider before using any medications for the first time.

Remember, if a foreign online pharmacy is offering drugs that are already manufactured in the U.S., those drugs are not currently approved by the FDA for importation into the United States. Consumers with questions about purchasing pharmaceutical products outside the

U.S. may wish to contact the following agencies for more information:

U.S. Food & Drug Administration at 1-800-437-2382,
or at www.fda.gov