Medicine Information

Online Pharmacies and the FDA


The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing the testing, manufacturing, and distribution of prescription drugs in the United States.

Drug companies in the United States operate in a free market and can charge whatever they want for their medications. The United States remains one of the few nations that do not regulate drug companies to help control costs. As a result, Americans are forced to pay exorbitant amounts of money for prescription medications.

With the internet's increased popularity as a source for goods and services, it was only a matter of time before Americans began to search for online sources of prescription drugs. The FDA is trying to do its part to safeguard the public from online pharmacies that may be less than reputable. Every market suffers its share of dishonest companies seeking to make a quick buck, but in the case of prescription drugs, the effects can be more serious than just loosing money.

The FDA has stated major concerns that people choosing to use an online pharmacy should be aware of. Among the most important is the need for a one-on-one physical exam by your doctor prior to taking any medication. Though a visit to your doctor is not always required by law, it is the smartest way to insure your safety, especially if you are taking a prescription drug for the first time.

Another concern is whether or not the drugs you are buying are FDA approved. You should only buy from pharmacies that supply FDA approved drugs (This applies only to pharmacies based in the United States. All U.S. pharmacies recommended on this web site advertise to sell only FDA approved medications).

The FDA also recommends that you check to see that the pharmacy posts their address and/or phone number on the web site, and that there is a means of contacting their pharmacist should you choose to do so.

It would surprise many to see that the FDA is not as close minded as you might expect with regard to Internet prescription drug sales. They recognize the benefits the Internet can offer individuals, such as convenience, privacy, and access to drugs for the disabled.

Their biggest gripe seems to be with the fact that many people will use the Internet to circumvent important safeguards such as proper supervision by a physician. Taking a prescription drug for the first time can cause side effects that may go unnoticed by the individual. A doctor might be able to spot these effects and adjust the dosage, or recommend you discontinue taking the drug.

The bottom line is that the FDA can only do so much. It will ultimately be up to you, the consumer, to be diligent and responsible when making choices regarding your prescription drug usage.

© Written By: Michael Casamento

Michael Casamento is the founder of PharmacyVision.com providing instant access to the lowest prices on prescription medications at recommended online pharmacies.

For more information please visit: http://www.pharmacyvision.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.


MORE RESOURCES:

Malaysia Star

Study medicine for free
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 4 hours ago
By SIMRIT KAUR What we want in the Latin American School of Medicine is that the students ? become impregnated with the same doctrine in which our doctors ...
Cuban adventure Malaysia Star
all 3 news articles


CT scans can be better medicine for doctors than for patients
Los Angeles Times, CA - 1 hour ago
A controversial study published last November in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that CT scans administered today could cause up to 2% of ...


CBS News

Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves
CBS News, NY - 14 hours ago
It's very important to have your medicine cabinet stocked with the most essential, over-the-counter, at-home first aid products and medications - in the ...


Computerized Reminder System Drove Up Colon Cancer Screening Rates ...
Science Daily (press release) - 2 hours ago
The reminder system, called ClinfoTracker, was developed by family medicine doctors at UMHS to help track and manage primary care. ...


Fange added to SIU’s School of Medicine
Hannibal.net, MO - 22 hours ago
Dr. Timothy James Von Fange has joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Quincy as an assistant professor of family and ...
Blessing offering EEGs Hannibal.net
all 2 news articles


Readers want no part of two-tier medicine
Toronto Star,  Canada - 17 hours ago
Dr. Robert Ouellet advances the idea that Canada can develop a European-style health-care system with a public-private blend. This fallacy is promoted by ...


Ex-NJ politician headed to trial on fraud charges
The Associated Press - 8 hours ago
Wayne R. Bryant is also accused of steering state money to one of his employers, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. ...


Think tank: Ireland, a hub for GM meds?
Times Online, UK - 4 hours ago
The big difference between the growing of GM food crops and GM medicine crops is that scientists believe the latter is a safer and more profitable ...


Stem Cell Research Guidelines Released
Science Daily (press release) - 1 hour ago
In addition, a standing advisory committee -- a joint project between the Academies' National Research Council and Institute of Medicine -- was established ...


Healer to the stars in court battle to save his reputation
guardian.co.uk, UK - 4 hours ago
But the glittering reputation of Dr Ali, Britain's best-known champion of integrated medicine, is about to receive a stern examination. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006