Cheap prescription drugs on-line

Malay Mail: Any Malaysian with an e-mail account would have had the displeasure of receiving e-mail with such headings or similar ones in their inbox.
Most of us would normally mark it as spam and banish it to the trash folder, never to be seen again.
But not all of us do. An increasing number of Malaysians, weary of visits to the doctor, are resorting to buying their prescription drugs on-line, and as a result, putting their lives in danger.
Sent under headings such as ‘Cheap medicine, Worthy Effect’, ‘The Best Cure for Men’s Health’ or ‘Save Your Money and Buy Pills Here’, the on-line ads offer drugs which target just about every kind of medical condition from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma to poor stamina, depression and sexual dysfunction.
They lure customers with the promise of medicine which can only be prescribed for use by a doctor and at supposedly affordable prices.
The problem begins when some consumers, desperate for a cure, get taken in by the promise of a remedy without the hassle of going to the doctor, signalling the beginning of a potentially dangerous habit.
The Consumers Association of Penang admits that on-line advertising involving prescription drugs are gaining in popularity, having come across on-line banners as well as print ads which refer readers to the websites.
Its president, S.M. Mohamed Idris, said the print ads are above board and do not violate any laws, but infringements were found upon checking the websites.
“We brought these to the attention of the Ministry of Health and they have taken action,” he said.
Prescription drugs are classified as Group B Poisons under the law and can only be prescribed by a doctor, said Mohamed Idris.
This, he said, is for very good reasons. The drugs require more caution in use and may also give rise to serious side-effects or adverse reactions.
Some consumers might also have pre-existing conditions such as kidney or liver problems, making it dangerous for them to consume certain prescription drugs.
“Patients are endangering their lives when they self-medicate using medicine from this group.
“Saving a few ringgits simply isn’t worth the risk of serious side-effects, injury, added illness or even death.”

Unfortunately, there are patients who are willing to compromise on quality to save money, said Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin.
These patients shop on-line for the cheapest prices for their drug supplies without a doctor’s prescription and thus, place themselves at a real risk of receiving fake goods.
“It is often almost impossible to distinguish a fake drug from locally manufactured genuine generic drugs, as both do not carry any logo or the name of the manufacturer,” said Teoh.
Only after treatment fails do doctors become alerted to the possibility that patients are taking fake drugs.
“Even if we suspect that it is a case of fake drugs, we cannot do anything as we have no proof. Furthermore, it is expensive to send these drugs for analysis,” said Teoh.
The consequences of consuming fake medicine can range from adverse reactions to death, explained Pfizer Malaysia medical director Dr Wong Kok Seng.
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are highly unsafe as manufacturing sites are not regulated or inspected. The conditions are often unsanitary and equipment is not properly cleaned thus increasing risk of contamination.
“The products are not tested or approved and they may contain toxic ingredients or unlisted ingredients which again, put people's health at risk,” said Wong.
“Patients must see a doctor to obtain prescription medicine and medical practitioners must buy only from authorised distributors.
“As long as patients and medical practitioners adhere to this, it would be a major step forward in combating this problem,” he said.