Archived News Releases: Illegitimate Internet Pharmacies Could Pose Risks for Consumers

March 7, 2000 (Ottawa): The rapid growth of on-line pharmacies is causing increased concern that the existing public protection safety net could be bypassed by illegitimate operators or unaccredited pharmacies. This could expose the public to harmful or ineffective drugs, improper prescribing or dispensing of pharmaceuticals, said the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today in releasing its statement on Internet Pharmacy in Canada. The statement is available from the CPhA website at www.pharmacists.ca

In Canada, prescriptions cannot be filled via the Internet. On-line prescribing or electronic transmission of prescriptions is not permitted. At present, only a limited number of Canadian websites offer Internet pharmacy services to consumers. These are linked to existing "brick and mortar" pharmacies.

"Internet pharmacies can provide valuable information but are not a substitute for consultation with a pharmacists or a physician," said Dr. Jeff Poston CPhA's Executive Director.

Potential Risks

• Some Internet pharmacy sites may operate illegally, thereby bypassing the comprehensive safety system of pre-market drug approval, prescription drug designation, evaluation of the patient by a practitioner and pharmacy practice standards. People who purchase medications from such sites are at risk for adverse effects from inappropriately prescribed medications, drug interactions, contaminated or sub-potent drugs, or unapproved drugs where safety and efficacy have not been established.
• Purchasing medications over the Internet bypasses the opportunity for face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist, physician or other health care provider. Internet pharmacy sites increase the risk of forged prescriptions being filled.
• Some sites promise deep discounts, where, in fact, on-line prices for some products may be higher even without the additional delivery costs.

Potential Benefits

• Increases consumer access to drug and related health information, empowering them to take greater responsibility for their own health. For example: sites with links to reliable health information from on-line medical libraries, universities, government agencies and health associations.
• Offers convenience in obtaining information, products, services and price comparison, in particular to the elderly, people with disabilities, people who are home-bound or who live in remote areas. Provides an opportunity for consumers to order products and consult with a pharmacist in the privacy of their own home.

Advice for Consumers

• Use reliable sources of health and medical information on the Internet.
• Information obtained on the Internet should not replace consultation with your pharmacist, physician or other health care provider. Talk to your pharmacist or physician before you decide to treat yourself, change your medication or use any medication for the first time.
• Expect the same high quality of care, whether the service is provided on-line or face-to-face in a pharmacy.
• Be cautious when buying medications via the Internet. Be aware that websites can be created to look like legitimate pharmacies when in fact both the seller and the products are illegitimate. Purchasing a medication from an illegal website puts you at risk 3/4 you may receive a contaminated or counterfeit product, the wrong product, an incorrect dose, or no product at all.
• Make sure that the Internet pharmacy you choose is a bona fide, fully licensed facility exercising safe pharmacy practices and is in compliance with federal and provincial laws and regulations.
• Do not hesitate to contact your provincial pharmacy licensing body to confirm that an on-line pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy in good standing in Canada. Check that U.S. sites have the VIPPS seal.
• Do not get prescriptions filled by foreign sites, even if you are asked to fill out a questionnaire for review by a physician. An on-line questionnaire does not give enough information to a health care professional to make a safe decision. Make sure you consult face-to-face with your physician before obtaining a prescription medicine for the first time. Taking an unsafe or inappropriate medication puts you at risk for dangerous drug interactions and other serious health problems.
• Information that sounds too good to be true requires careful assessment. Beware of sites that advertise a "new cure" for a serious disorder or a quick cure-all for a wide range of ailments. Steer clear of sites that include undocumented case histories claiming "amazing" results.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association is committed to providing leadership to the profession of pharmacy.

For more information, please contact:
Renée Couturier, Communications and Issues Manager
Tel: (613) 523-7877 ext. 205
Fax: (613) 523-0445

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Les pharmacies illégales sur Internet pourraient entraîner des risques pour les consommateurs (PDF)