| If you've never purchased medications from an online | | | | blue pill. And one of three things will happen when |
| pharmacy before, you may wonder if it's safe to do | | | | you take it: |
| so. It sure is tempting if, like many people, you are | | | | 1. Nothing. It just won't work. |
| tired of paying highly inflated drug prices at your local | | | | 2. Unpleasant side effects. |
| drug store (the US has the highest prescription drug | | | | 3. Serious and dangerous side effects. |
| costs in the world). You'd like to find a cheaper | | | | The FDA's View of Online Drug Stores |
| alternative. | | | | The FDA's Consumer Safety Guide warns that some |
| You could take a quick trip to Canada. Prescription | | | | medicines sold through some online drug stores may |
| drug costs there are much lower than in the US so a | | | | not be safe to use. They may be fake copies, |
| booming and controversial practice has sprung up | | | | contain ingredients not listed on the label, or be too |
| around medications coming into the states from | | | | weak to do any good. |
| north of the border. This practice violates FDA | | | | The FDA urges consumers to use only those online |
| regulations, even though law enforcement officials | | | | drug stores that are have US licensed pharmacists on |
| rarely target online pharmacy customers who order | | | | hand to answer your questions and US licenced |
| medications from outside the US. | | | | doctors to write the prescription... reliable, professional |
| The Offshore Online Pharmacy | | | | pharmacies. |
| When you buy drugs over the Internet, it's always | | | | How to Choose a Trustworthy Online Pharmacy |
| safest to buy from a US-based online drug store. | | | | If you want to save money on prescription drug |
| That's because importing from online drug stores | | | | costs AND stay within the law, select a US-based |
| based in countries other than the US and Canada is a | | | | online pharmacy. Do some research, make a short |
| risky business. It has been estimated that up to 40% | | | | list, and then compare prices, quality of service, |
| of all drugs sold in developing countries (such as | | | | bonus offers, ease of contact, and any other |
| Mexico) are actually counterfeit products that may | | | | consumer factors that are important to you. |
| cause adverse reactions. | | | | When you find the lowest price for the product at a |
| So while the foreign online pharmacy may promise | | | | reputable online pharmacy that has credentials and a |
| you a ridiculously low price for Viagra, for example, | | | | solid track record, then you'll have found an online |
| what you receive in the mail might be nothing more | | | | drug store where you can place your trust and place |
| than snake oil dressed up in an authentic-looking little | | | | your order with confidence. |