Use caution buying medical products online

FDA Consumer, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Michelle Meadows

Legislation

In March 2004, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) voiced support of federal legislation that would protect consumers from dangerous Internet drug prescribing practices.

"The Internet Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act would remove the veil of secrecy surrounding many rogue Internet pharmacies and the physicians who serve them," FSMB President lames Thompson, M.D., told Congress during a hearing.

The bill, which was introduced in early March 2004 by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., targets domestic Internet pharmacies that sell drugs over the Internet without a valid prescription. These are the main provisions of the bill:

* Sites would be required to make specific disclosures of the names of Internet prescribing physicians, dispensing pharmacies, the states in which practitioners are licensed, and contact information.

* Sites would be barred from dispensing prescription drugs solely on the basis of an online questionnaire. An in-person medical evaluation would be required.

* State attorneys general would be allowed to go to federal court to enforce a nationwide injunction against illicit online pharmacies, rather than just in their individual jurisdictions.

A companion bill, The Ryan Haight Act, also has been introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn. The bill is named for a teen-ager who died as a result of obtaining dangerous drugs over the Internet.

The administration has not stated a position on the proposed legislation.

Reporting Problems

To report a problem with a Web site selling human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary supplements, or cosmetics:

* If the problem involves a serious or life-threatening situation, call your health care professional immediately for medical advice. To report the situation to the FDA, call (301) 443-1240.

* If the problem involves a serious reaction or problem, contact your health care professional for advice. To fill out the FDA's MedWatch reporting form, go to www.fda.gov/medwatch.> * For problems that do not involve a serious or life-threatening reaction, fill out the form at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.> * To report e-mails or Web sites promoting medical products that might be illegal, forward the material to webcomplaints@ora.fda.gov.

* To report false claims to the Federal Trade Commission, call (877) 382-4357.

* If you lose your money, contact the credit card company, your state attorney general's office, or the Better Business Bureau.

Online Resources

FDA buying online page www.fda.gov/buyonline/

FDA online guide: "Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide" www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide

FDA report on combating counterfeit drugs www.fda.gov/counterfeit/

List of dietary supplement ingredients for which the FDA has issued warnings www.cfscan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html

List of enforcement actions taken against the promoters of products www.fda.gov/oc/enforcement.html