FDA: Buying medicines online poses serious risk

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against purchasing medicines online, saying that it could do harm than good.

In an advisory dated June 11, the FDA warned there is no guarantee that medicines sold online are genuine, on top of the fact that these medicines may not be stored properly.

“Unlike other consumer products purchased over the internet, medicines have the potential to cause serious side effects and health problems if not used and stored properly. Buying medicines over the internet can pose serious health risk as you will never know what exactly you are getting,” the FDA said.

“A medicine bought online may contain no active ingredient; too much or too little of active ingredients which may result to your condition not being treated correctly. Also, these medicines may not be stored correctly in accordance with its appropriate storage conditions,” the FDA added.

Likewise, the FDA also warned that online selling of medicines is illegal, and that the FDA only allows ordering of medicines online, provided that the seller has an existing FDA-licensed pharmacy or botika with physical address.

“The FDA recommends purchase of medicines from licensed pharmacies near you and seek advice from your community pharmacist on the proper and safe use of medicines,” the FDA said.

At the same time, the FDA called on the public to report continuous unauthorized sale or distribution of medicines by sending an email to report@fda.gov.pb,  or  through   the  online  reporting   facility, eREPORT, at www.fda.gov.ph/ereport and calling the Center for Drug Regulation and Research at (02) 809-5596. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News