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Savvy
Online Shopping for Medicines and Medical Products
By:
Ng Hui Cheng, Pharmacist, National Cancer Centre
With
the evolution of the worldwide web, surfing of the Internet for
information or for pleasure has become part and parcel of modern
living. With hundreds of drug-dispensing websites in business, how
then can consumers tell which sites are trust-worthy legitimate
ones, and which sites are not? This is especially so when creating
a website that looks professional and impressive is easy. These
sites may even boast of a whole list of benefits to consumers, such
as minimum hassle, guaranteed results, attractive discounts, free
delivery, and so on.
There are several key questions you need to ask yourself every time
you access a new Internet resource. A good way to remember them
is to think of the three www’s:
· The first “w” - Who
has provided the information?
Is it a doctor, nurse, health organization,
university, commercial industry, or interested individual? Are they
representing themselves or an organization? Are they qualified or
reputable? Can you find information about the author on the website?
·
The second “w” - When
was the information published?
Is there a publication date or a
date whereby the material has been put up in the website? How far
back does the data go? Is there a “site updated” notice
at the bottom of the web page?
·
The third “w” - Where
is the information from?
What kind of server is it hosted
on? Is it commercial, educational or organizational? Is it an individual’s
page on a University website? Is the validity of the information
compromised by the aims of the host organization?
To assist consumers who wish to
buy health products online, here are some tips:
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Do
not buy from sites that offer to prescribe a prescription
drug for the first time without a physical examination by
a doctor, sell drugs not approved by the Singapore Health
Sciences Authority, or sell a prescription drug without a
prescription. |
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Do
not buy from sites that have no access to a registered pharmacist
for queries. |
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Do
not purchase from foreign websites because it is generally
illegal to import drugs bought from these sites. The associated
risks are greater and you may face the chance of getting cheated. |
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Beware
of sites that advertise a “new cure” for a serious
disorder or a “wonder drug” that can cure a wide
range of illnesses. |
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Be
careful of sites that use impressive terminology to disguise
a lack of good science. |
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Beware
and avoid sites that include undocumented cases claiming “amazingly
successful” results after taking a product. |
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Consult
your doctor or pharmacist before using medications for the
first time. |
So before you buy a particular
medication online, check to see if the website has any of the above
warning signs. Remember once you have administered a drug, it is
difficult and, sometimes impossible to remove it from your body.
Furthermore, the drug may even cause a whole series of side effects.
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