I know that it should come as not shock to people when I tell them that the preferred route of obtaining medication is to have an issue, go to your HCP, obtain a prescription, go tot eh pharmacy, have it filled, and there you go. Sometimes, especially for medication that they feel their HCP won’t write for them or they are just too embarrassed to ask for, they find other ways to get medications: the internet. I want to be clear, going through your CVS/Caremark, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc online drug programs is totally fine, as long as it is supported by your insurance company, and an FDA regulated company, you are all set; online pharmacies that tell you there is no prescription required is where the issues can happen!
How does it work?
I am sure that you have all received one (or a million) of those SPAM emails looking to sell online Viagra, Ativan, whatever the drug du jour is from these companies. Those who are actually interested click on the link (PS- bad move all around, but we will get into that later), and you are charged a “consultation fee” with a “Doctor” that is usually from a foreign country, or from the US that is no longer allowed to practice within hospitals due to drug addiction, malpractice suits, etc. Bottom line: your consultation is with a “doctor” that you wouldn’t even let touch an animal, never mind yourself. But, the FDA requires a prescription for all medications, which is how they get by the loophole. They charge you a hefty price, and send your meds off to you. Sounds great and super easy. Right? Hmmmm…..
What are the Risks?
Well, since these places aren’t actually pharmacies (it isn’t regulated like Walgreens and most likely is in someones house), you are getting a pill bottle labeled as viagra (as an example) but you don’t know that the pills you are getting are actually viagra. There have been many cases where the pills are diluted, so they “pharmacists” cut the drugs with other things, decreasing potency, or add other things to them. Recently there was a case where kids were buying adderall online to study for exams and what they were getting in the mail was actually tramadol (opiate pain reliever) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), which would make you SUPER tired and have the opposite effect! An analysis by the FDA of many “drugs” from online pharmacies found that most of the medications that they received were not what they ordered….not at all the correct drug. This could be REALLY dangerous like if you have a drug allergy, or if you are taking other medications that could interact, or if you have any sort of past medical history: you could be taking something that could kill you, and you don’t even know what you are ingesting.
Also, let’s not forget, the people that run these web sites are not exactly cream of the earth kind of people, and they are many times phishing sites: you clink on that link, pay them using your credit card, and they steal your identity, your money, and they can ruin your credit and/or your life.
Why should I see my HCP?
The whole point of going to your HCP, being SEEN, having labs or other tests done, is part of being safe. We want to make sure that we are giving you the right medication for the right purpose. We like to prevent people from beaching dependent upon medications, and use all sorts of different treatments and therapies. Plus, we make sure that you are getting a prescription from a pharmacy that is regulated by the FDA and giving you real medications; the medications that you need and will help you get better. We do what is safe, and what is required by law to treat you; those sites do not, and could be giving you medications that could cause serious harm or death due to medication interactions, under dose, overdose, or allergic reactions. Imagine just taking a pill form someone random walking down the street:
Random guy: “Hey dude, take this pill.” You: “what does it do?” Random Guy: “I don’t know, just take it” You: “OK!”
NO! That should never happen, and you should go through the proper channels for prescription medications. I get that it can be a pain to get an appointment, wait, tests, etc. I totally understand, I get annoyed by the same exact things, but it is all part of a checks and balances in the healthcare field making sure that you are being treated properly and appropriately, and you might think healthcare in the US is expensive, but HCPs won’t steal your identity and ruin your credit, and we make sure that you get the drug we write a prescription for. Doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?? So stop clicking on internet pharmacies and get in touch with your HCP (plus many HCPs have moved to online sites to contact and refill prescriptions!!)
Yours in Good Health
B
