Warning over online pill shopping

Buying medicines over the Internet without leaving your front door sounds very appealing; but is it safe?

Online shopping has taken off in a big way in recent years, and it is easy to see why – with convenience, competitive pricing and privacy proving draw cards for consumers.

As well as the weekly groceries and a new pair of shoes, people are also beginning to turn to the Internet for their prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

Karen Kaye, deputy chief executive of the National Prescribing Service (NPS), says less than 1% of Australians over 50 years of age buy their medicine online.

“But I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes. Surveys done by others suggest more people want to shop this way,” she says.

With this trend likely to grow the concern is many websites selling medicines are not legitimate, although they look professional and trustworthy,

These so-called “rogue” sites are illegal and operate mostly overseas, therefore consumers who inadvertently order medicines from these sites do not know for sure exactly what they are buying.

Unless a website is reputable, Ms Kaye warns that consumers run a high risk of buying medicines that are:

• Contaminated or counterfeit (fake)
• Past their use by date.
• Not approved for sale in Australia
• Not manufactured to appropriate standards and;
• Not labelled, stored or shipped correctly

She warns when a person shops at a rogue site, they are wasting money and may even be breaking the law as it is illegal to bring some medicines into Australia by post.

Worst of all, Ms Kaye claims the person may be jeopardising their health as unpleasant and dangerous effects of bad medicine purchased online is possible.

Dr Geraldine Moses, a clinical pharmacist who has run the national NPS Adverse Medicines Events Line for the last decade, says, for example, one man had a seizure when he took a counterfeit anti-anxiety medicine.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 1% of medicines available in the developed world, and 10% globally, are fake.

Counterfeit versions of branded or generic medicines are hard to identify because the ‘phony’ packaging often looks real. While packaging plays a role in conning consumers, so too does what is inside. The wrong active ingredient can trigger toxic or dangerous effects.

Though not yet a serious problem in Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has nevertheless received 146 reports involving counterfeit medical products in the past 12 months. According to a spokesperson, most are lifestyle medicines (for conditions including obesity, hair loss and erectile dysfunction) purchased in small amounts for personal use from overseas Internet sites.

“Lack of public awareness about the issue and a certain reluctance to look foolish means that when medicines don’t work or cause nasty side effects, it’s rarely reported,” the spokesperson says.

How to shop safely online

Experts suggest not to purchase any medications without talking to a qualified health professional first. All medicine can potentially cause adverse effects or interact with other medicines.

With the easy availability of health information and medicine online, it can be tempting to diagnose yourself and attempt to work out which medicine you need; however your doctor can advise the most suitable medicine for your condition, how to take it safely, and even recommend a reputable online pharmacy.

If you do buy medicines online, whether you are buying prescription, over-the-counter or complementary medicines only use Australian websites, experts suggest.

“If you stay local you’re likely to get an online pharmacy that’s real, one that abides by the law, dispenses Australian products and does not substitute counterfeit or inferior copies,” Dr Moses says.

Medicines purchased from overseas sites, on the other hand, are not approved by the TGA for supply in Australia and may not meet their strict safety, quality and efficacy standards.

It doesn’t matter where you bought it – online or from a pharmacy, if a medicine causes side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Have you ever bought medication online? If so, was it a bad experience? Share your stories in the comment box below.