| |
| |
|
Medicine Information |
|
|
|
Online Pharmacies and the FDA
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing the testing, manufacturing, and distribution of prescription drugs in the United States. Drug companies in the United States operate in a free market and can charge whatever they want for their medications. The United States remains one of the few nations that do not regulate drug companies to help control costs. As a result, Americans are forced to pay exorbitant amounts of money for prescription medications. With the internet's increased popularity as a source for goods and services, it was only a matter of time before Americans began to search for online sources of prescription drugs. The FDA is trying to do its part to safeguard the public from online pharmacies that may be less than reputable. Every market suffers its share of dishonest companies seeking to make a quick buck, but in the case of prescription drugs, the effects can be more serious than just loosing money. The FDA has stated major concerns that people choosing to use an online pharmacy should be aware of. Among the most important is the need for a one-on-one physical exam by your doctor prior to taking any medication. Though a visit to your doctor is not always required by law, it is the smartest way to insure your safety, especially if you are taking a prescription drug for the first time. Another concern is whether or not the drugs you are buying are FDA approved. You should only buy from pharmacies that supply FDA approved drugs (This applies only to pharmacies based in the United States. All U.S. pharmacies recommended on this web site advertise to sell only FDA approved medications). The FDA also recommends that you check to see that the pharmacy posts their address and/or phone number on the web site, and that there is a means of contacting their pharmacist should you choose to do so. It would surprise many to see that the FDA is not as close minded as you might expect with regard to Internet prescription drug sales. They recognize the benefits the Internet can offer individuals, such as convenience, privacy, and access to drugs for the disabled. Their biggest gripe seems to be with the fact that many people will use the Internet to circumvent important safeguards such as proper supervision by a physician. Taking a prescription drug for the first time can cause side effects that may go unnoticed by the individual. A doctor might be able to spot these effects and adjust the dosage, or recommend you discontinue taking the drug. The bottom line is that the FDA can only do so much. It will ultimately be up to you, the consumer, to be diligent and responsible when making choices regarding your prescription drug usage. © Written By: Michael Casamento Michael Casamento is the founder of PharmacyVision.com providing instant access to the lowest prices on prescription medications at recommended online pharmacies. For more information please visit: http://www.pharmacyvision.com This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.
MORE RESOURCES:
Medicine - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Electric Wheelchairs When you search online for Electric Wheelchairs, like any other things, you will face a situation, where you will need to choose a provider out of so many companies that offer the service. The search engines will bring you thousands and thousands of results when you type the phrase "Electric Wheelchairs. Heel Pain - Ten Tips for Treatment The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). If you experience a sharp pain in your heel when you first step down in the morning, it is most likely due to plantar fasciitis. A Fresh Start Plan for People With Neck Pain! "If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it can be a real struggle. I know? because I've had to do it myself," states Dr. Affordable Drugs: Saving Money by Splitting Pills One of the least appreciated cost-savers in medical treatment is the simple act of splitting pills. Suppose you're a U. Signs of Suicide : Learn What They are and How to Deal with Them The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides are reported as accidents or illnesses. Suicides are usually the result of a complex combination of emotional, social, and biological factors. Kids and Medication Part I We have all talked a lot about the problems in our educational system, about latchkey kids, about teacher turnover (50 percent of teachers quitted within the first five years on the job), psychologists over prescribing medications such as Prozac and Ritalin with our friends and families. We can all foresee a terrible problem in the future because we are feeding these drugs to kids under the age of six, their brains have not been fully formed yet and these drugs and their predecessors and competing drugs all have adverse side effects. Medical Error Crisis The unfortunate truth about medical errors is that they plague the poor and uninsured, reflecting the great medical inequality in our country. For those who do not consider medical errors to be a problem, consider this: medical errors kill between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans every year. Kids and Medication Part II In continuation of mood enhancement drugs for kids and adolescents, we next discuss the issues of Prozac. Of course there is the other favorite drug Prozac which was approved back in 1987 and was the first anti-depressant aimed at regulating serotomine which is the major chemical contributing in the brain for mood. Using Blood Pressure Monitors To Maintain Your Health Many people today realize the importance of keeping their blood pressure under control. Blood pressure monitors are now available for home use. VIOXX Lawsuits Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily in the treatment of signs and symptoms of arthritis, but has also been prescribed to treat acute pain in adults and menstrual pain in women. It is a Cox-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID. Safely Mimicking the Effects of Accutane Without the Side-effects or Costs Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial, drug for treating severe acne. Now with FDA representative David J. Zyprexa Side Effects are Deadly: Effects Include NMS Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania and bipolar disorder. It is a psychotropic drug that treats the psychotic disorders of the mind but unlike other drugs for psychotic disorders, Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic. "Foot Pain Relief At Last!" "As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people complain about more often than almost any other, is their feet." So says Dr. Technology Over Drugs for Stress Related Tension Disorders As much as 95% of the population suffers from some form of reoccurring stress and tension related headaches.Although not normally debilitating these headaches affect work productivity and add to the billion dollar cost of sick days and time off. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Simple Self-Help Tips If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you will know how difficult it is to treat. Doctors can be dismissive of IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and bloating, and when treatment is offered it may only help for a short while before the distressing symptoms return. Physicians, Chiropractors and Physical Therapist Agree on a New Treatment for Low Back Pain One of the most prevalent and difficult health conditions to treat in the physical medicine is low back pain. The difficulty in treating low back pain comes from the fact that there are numerous causes including herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative discs, muscle spasms, facet arthritis, and sciatica. Rogue Online Pharmacies: The Internet War Of 2005 Online Pharmacy owners who haven't been working within moral and governmental regulations are in for the ride of their lives. In past months, many of these so called "rogue pharmacies" have either voluntarily shut down or been closed by the powers that be. How to Make Changes in Your Healthcare Organization For many of us change is a difficult process. In organizations like healthcare it seems to advance at a snail's pace sometimes. Find a Doctor How to find a doctor? There's no magical route to finding the right doctor. If you have a primary care physician just call him or her and make an appointment. Medical Billing PDA: 21st Century Convenience for Medical Practices Medical Billing PDAOne of the first things I notice about a medical office, whether it be with my dentist, my family doctor, or my optometrist, is the walls full of color-coded files containing medical histories, billing information, and tracking information for prescriptions check ups and various other things. As a patient, it is fun to trace the colored tags across the files and wonder what they mean.
|
| home | site map | Dr. Thad Thomas |
| © 2006 |
