Online Pharmacy Dangers

MH900390552A recent FDA study -1 in 4 Americans have purchased prescription medicines online. At this writing there are approximately 35,000 – 50,000 online drug-seller websites.

Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, Internet Pharmacies: Federal Agencies and States Face Challenges Combating Rogue Sites, Particularly Those Abroad detailing the large and grave problem of illegal, online pharmacies. You need to know it concluded that 97% of all online drug sellers operate illegally.  In 2012 FDA sent warning letters to one internet company ‘CanadaDrugs.com’.

FYI: It is illegal to in the US to get prescription meds without having had a recent medical evaluation – that is one needs a valid prescription. There are many good health reasons this is so:

– you may have been taking medication in the past but your body and it reaction to the medication can change with time,

– do you need a stronger dosage,

– are you having complications

– no or not sufficient improvement with the medication

All too common many of the medications purchased online are counterfeits or misbranded drugs.

HONESTLY – Do you want to put a chemical that you purchased from an illegitimate sources into your body?

Drug Reactions & Side Effects – You Can Act

MH900104752When a negative ‘surprise’ (or abnormal experience) occurs after taking medications or using a medical device – you can easily take action.  Means are available and include bedsides the obvious of calling the pharmacy or medical subscriber – you can ‘go to’ the FDA! The FDA website (medwatch) is a plethora of information with plenty of research  and you can also report your concern.

Examples of concern include:

  •  it occurs to you that there might be a problem with the quality of the drug, product or medical device
  • often you were taking a drug that worked then you were switched to a different manufacturer (usually a generic company) by the pharmacy or your insurance plan only to have it not ‘work’
  • experience a reaction you believe to be a side effect – new symptoms or worsening symptoms after taking  a drug or using a medical product/device
  • took a drug, or used a medical device incorrectly and it may have had a negative/unsafe effect for you.

Know there are many ways for YOU to address any of the above possible concerns:

-anyone can call the FDA at 1-800-332-1080 or go to their help website.

– a specific form (MEDWATCH Consumer Voluntary Reporting)  can be filled in online or printed and mailed in. Please consider using this reporting mechanism.

If you are researching or want to know about a specific drug or device – your source should be  ‘medwatch’ – a free ‘.gov’ site of the FDA. Here anyone can have access to info about such things as tobacco products, cosmetics, including veterinary products it is a great ‘go to’ site. Want to know about foods and especially current recalls and outbreaks this site is the way to find out.  I was glad to see also covered was ‘dietary supplements’ – we all take so many of them.

This is a superb all-inclusive FREE info site!

Medications – As Directed?

Half of the 3.2 billon Rxs dispensed annually are not taken as prescribed.

       Are you surprised by this fact?

Man is different for other “animals” due to our ability to rationalize-defined as attempt to explain or justify (one’s own or another’s behavior or attitude) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate’.

So why is the above statistic not surprising? My take-here goes:

“I’ll save the remainder for next time I’ve the same thing.”

“Feel better so really do not need the ‘over kill.”

“I’ll save and use for others when the get the same thing or catch ‘what I got.”

FIND OUT! When handed a prescription (chemicals to put into your body for ‘good’) ask do I really need this? Ask under what circumstances, if any, can I stop before finishing all the pills? Some many viral infections resolve wither or not on antibiotics.

 

 

 

Do You Take Other Folks Medications?

Podcast: Doc Handal Speaks! Listen UpSure quicker and faster to take a drug prescribed for someone one else. A friend already has it and it is usually free, convenient and so easy!  No searching for a doctor, waiting, paying a fee then a trip to the pharmacy more money out. So when you hear “Take this!” you do.

All to many of us are guilty of taking medications prescribed for someone else. After all it is a friend trying to help out when you are ill. Offering and giving you what they were prescribed for the same or similar problem does not consider your personal medical background (other conditions, allergies, interactions with other medication you may be taking).

Is “Take this’ an economic move or a deadly action? Listen Up!