Q: In your opinion, are Canadian prescription drugs safe to use? According to Pharmacy Checker.com, there are some valid members. Please advise.
A: Individuals in this country can be confident that the drugs they purchase within the United States are both safe and effective. Manufacturers must meet stringent Food and Drug Administration standards before products can be released to the public. This is something that cannot be done when an individual chooses to purchase from foreign sources such as Canada. And, as you might imagine, this is a significant concern for the FDA.
Because of higher costs of purchase, more and more consumers in this country are considering obtaining their drugs from Canadian suppliers – or sources that are purported to be Canadian. The FDA has taken a stand that consumers are exposed to a number of risks when these purchases are made. The foreign outlets that dispense the drugs may be providing contaminated, counterfeit, sub-potent, and even expired medications. There have been concerns of incorrect doses, labeling, ingredients and instructions in a language other than English, and dosing that is incompatible with what a US physician prescribes. Information on potential side effects may be missing from the packaging. And, all the while, the sources may claim it is completely legal for them to sell drugs to US consumers. Wrong! It isn’t.
Some websites are taking orders from consumers that are ultimately filled by other pharmacies, making it difficult for a purchaser to even determine if the drugs they receive are filled by the company from which they were ordered. Some patients may receive the real deal. Others, however, may purchase drugs that contain counterfeit copies. And, keep in mind that if a consumer/purchaser has an adverse drug reaction, he or she has no recourse because the physical location of the “pharmacy” they are dealing with may be beyond reach or otherwise unavailable. Further, the FDA that protects us has little or no ability to take any meaningful action against foreign operators.
I cannot tell you not to order from sources outside our country; however, I urge you to shop around in this country. Some pharmacies, because of volume for one thing, are able to sell prescription drugs cheaper. And, there are more generic versions available than ever before. Price shop, staying in this country whenever possible. Good luck.
