Drugs Bought Online Are Dangerous, Says Research
Recent research has highlighted the inherent dangers of purchasing drugs on the internet, given the limited regulation placed on the online community. During a period of assessment, over 3,000 websites were investigated. What was found was that medicines were being sold past their recommended date, that they could be forgeries, and that, in some instances, they came without prescriptions. MarkMonitor, the fraud advisory firm behind the research, also discovered around 50 per cent of the websites were not making adequate provisions in respect of customer security.
It is understood that a logo scheme is soon to be introduced by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which will be carried by legitimate sites as a point of reference for patients. However, analysts within the pharmaceutical industry have detailed their fears in respect of online drug purchases.
As part of the survey, six widely known and sold prescription drugs, covering areas such as erectile dysfunction and weight loss, were monitored two months ago. 3,160 pharmacies were identified as selling at least one of this sextet. However, a staggering 3,156 of these were discovered not to possess the required Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site accreditation. Over half of them were failing to safeguard customer information, while the drugs being monitored were being sold at rock-bottom prices. This last factor is what triggered the train of thought that they could well be counterfeit, out of date, stolen or watered down, or, indeed, entirely different product to what they claimed to be.
Over 300 of the assessed promoted how patients could acquire their required medicines without a prescription.
MarkMonitor’s Charlie Abrahams, commenting on the results, described how the enormity of the situation was an unknown factor before the research began. The real warning signs, he said, were that: "very few were accredited, half of them had no security and they're selling at about a fifth of the retail price which suggests they're counterfeit”. He added:"We found some sites claiming to be Canadian but in fact they were Russian."
According to Mr Abrahams, people’s health is being jeopardised by the purchase of drugs online.
The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has some level of ability to shut down websites found to be trading illegally. However, its powers are limited to the UK. Regarding the new research, the regulator announced that it would recommend consumers to avoid internet purchases when it comes to medicines.
As per a spokesperson from MHRA: "At any one time the MHRA are investigating around 100 cases where they believe there have been breaches of the Medicines Act relating to the illegal sale or supply of medicines via the internet."
All UK-based pharmacies are presently obliged to register their details with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The projected logo scheme is set to be unveiled later this year and, when in place on pharmacy websites, will hyperlink through to the society’s own website. Once redirected, visitors will be able to confirm the identity of the pharmacy in question. The society said, of the new scheme: "Patients considering purchasing medicines via the internet should be encouraged to verify the website is operated from a registered retail pharmacy. This is to ensure their medicines are obtained from a reputable source and accurate and appropriate advice in relation to their medicines is received."
Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Research and Development Analyst
