In Defense of (some) Online Pharmacies

Millions Lost In Online Pharmacy Fraud"

"Bogus Online Prescriptions Do More Harm Than Good"

"Legitimate Online Pharmacy? Don't Be So Sure!"

Recent headlines and media coverage of the multi-billion dollar online pharmacy industry has been less than charitable to Internet sites that specialize in dispensing prescription drugs. With consumers pumping more and more cash into online prescriptions and purchases of Viagra, pain relief medication, and other drugs obtainable via the Internet, there is certainly cause for concern.

However, on closer inspection it becomes clear that not all online pharmacies are created equal and some can provide a safe, convenient and cost-effective way of obtaining prescription drugs.

No Prescription? No Problem for Rogue Online Pharmacies!

pharmacy (noun): a shop in which medicines are prepared and sold, according to prescriptions of physicians.

When you apply the above definition to the websites that call themselves Internet or online pharmacies, you'll quickly find that many of them do not qualify as actual pharmacies since they do not require a consumer to have a prescription before placing an order. Many of these businesses require little more than a valid credit card to make a purchase, and in this sense they are no different than e-commerce sites that sell books, cosmetics and other everyday items.

However, by dispensing potent prescription medication without requiring either an online prescription or a traditional prescription from its customers, these online pharmacies are operating in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Sometimes referred to as "rogue" online pharmacies, these businesses may be headquartered in the US or may be based overseas. In either case, unlicensed online pharmacies that sell prescription drugs without requiring any form of prescription are breaking the law.

In addition, these businesses are potentially jeopardizing the health of their own customers. Because prescription medicines can be harmful your health if taken without an accompanying professional health assessment, they should always be taken under a doctor's direction or supervision. Online pharmacies that simply dispense powerful drugs on request, without any medical assessment, consultation or prescription whatsoever, are engaging in unethical and dangerous business practices.

Lastly, be aware that ordering from an online pharmacy that does not require a prescription may be financially risky. Sometimes sites that claim to sell prescription drugs without either asking for a doctor's prescription or providing an online prescription may be more interested in stealing your credit card details than in providing a legitimate service.

Online Pharmacy/Offline Physician... A Strong Formulation

At the other end of the online pharmacy spectrum are those businesses that dispense prescription drugs only when the customer has obtained a valid prescription as a result of an in-person examination by a physician. Supporters of online pharmacies that have the traditional prescription requirement contend that a prescription is an absolute prerequisite to filling the order and that there is no substitute for an in-person doctor's examination.

Indeed, certain complex or serious medical conditions are impossible to effectively diagnose or treat without a physical examination by a doctor. In addition, in-person evaluations offer a clear advantage to patients who have established a long-standing, trusting relationship with their physician.

Another advantage of using an online pharmacy that requires a traditional prescription is that these businesses often stock a full range of prescription drugs similar to the choice that is available from your local drugstore.

The Online Prescription: Quality Care Plus Convenience

There is another category of online pharmacy worth considering - those that provide an online consultation or evaluation by a professional, US-licensed physician. Depending on the results of the online consultation, the physician may (or may not) provide the patient with an online prescription. The patient then uses the online prescription to complete his or her order on the site. With these types of online pharmacies, the patient cannot complete an order without first having had the evaluation and receiving an online prescription.

Some critics of online pharmacies that use the online prescription model believe that a remote consultation is not an adequate way of assessing patients' needs and safeguarding their health. Clearly, there are some medical issues or diseases that cannot be properly identified, evaluated or treated without seeing a doctor in person.

However, for some health conditions, a remote consultation provided by a qualified professional at the other end can be as safe as seeing your doctor personally and far more convenient. Many online pharmacies use qualified physicians and pharmacists who will carefully review your symptoms and medical history before authorizing an online prescription and dispensing any medication. Plus, the convenience and savings associated with an online assessment are unrivaled by any other model.