Beware Rogue Pharmacies
Posted By Maryann Porosky On AUGUST 01,2017
More than half (actually 60%) of medicines purchased online are fake or substandard. This is the finding of the National Association of Pharmacy Boards. The Food and Drug Administration joins pharmacists in warning that the buyer must beware when purchasing drugs online.
An example
In one investigation, for instance, the FDA purchased Tamiflu from several Internet pharmacies. Tamiflu is a common and effective flu prevention drug. The medicine that arrived from one pharmacy came in an unlabeled envelope postmarked from India. It contained unmarked white tablets that analysis revealed were simply talc and acetaminophen. The active ingredient, oseltamivir, was nowhere to be found.
Counterfeiters are crafty
Not all rogue pharmacies will be so obviously suspect. Plenty send medications in packages that exactly mirror the bona fide drug. If the drug you are ordering is one you've used before, compare the new shipment for size, smell, and appearance. If it seems suspicious, err on the side of caution and don't take it. And certainly go to the doctor if symptoms of the condition worsen with the new batch or if new side effects appear.
Big consequences
You can imagine the dangers of your loved one not getting the medicine they need. Unfortunately, lack of the active ingredient is only one of a number of possibilities. Some counterfeiters substitute alternate active ingredients, which can cause an allergic reaction or may have side effects the doctor specifically wanted to avoid. But it doesn't stop there. Patients have ended up in the Emergency Room because they were exposed to toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of fake drugs. Counterfeiters are not known for their ethics!
The added problem of identity theft
In addition to the risk of bad medicine, there's also the chance of your medical and/or credit card information being used for other purposes. We're all aware of the dangers of stolen credit card information. Stolen Medicare information carries its own problems. For instance, Medicare has traditionally used the Social Security number as the patient ID number. This is changing! By April 2019, all Medicare beneficiaries will have a new Medicare card with a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). But between now and then, your Social Security number can get into the hands of bad actors.
Medicare fraud
Stolen Medicare information also contributes to the epidemic of Medicare fraud. The General Accounting Office reports that Medicare has been bilked out of close to $50 billion annually in fake claims. This amounts to 8% to10% of Medicare's annual budget, putting the solvency of the program at risk.
Finding a legitimate online pharmacy
Thank goodness, not all online pharmacies are nefarious. Check out our July newsletter article, Beware rogue pharmacies, to learn tips for spotting bad apples, and how to find a legitimate online provider.
Drug costs a real concern
At Caring Choices, we recognize that the price of medicine is a significant bite in the budget. And online pharmacies, just like online retailers in other industries, can offer lower prices. Here are other ways to reduce costs:
-
Ask the doctor to prescribe the generic version of the drug.
-
Ask if there's a lower cost but equivalent alternative.
-
Have the pharmacist review medications for possible overlap and make recommendations for a leaner prescription mix.
-
Explore financial assistance from the maker of the drug. Pharmaceutical companies are required to create programs to help those who cannot afford their products.
Multiple medications?
If the person you care for has multiple medications and a complex medical situation, it may be wise to get some help. As the north New Jersey experts in aging well, we can guide you through the elder care system, streamline the medication list, and help you avoid problems such as rogue pharmacies. Give us a call at 973-627-4087.
973.627.4087
