| |
A new research has warned people against the use of prescription drugs which are available over the internet as it can pose harms.
The study was conducted by William G. Weppner, University of Washington department of medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in Boise, Idaho.
According to the study, the costs of such drugs are much lower when compared to the branded drugs which a person buys from a shop, as in most cases a less-expensive generic equivalent is not available.
The study has also discovered that information regarding the efficacy, safety and side effects were given less priority when compared to the positioning of the free offer.
Even though certain drugs were accompanied by patient testimonials, in most of the cases the benefits were outlined in a very general manner. Yet another risk is the absence of quantitative information regarding the indication for use, effect and side effects of using the drugs.
The US has permitted the advertising of prescription drugs directly to consumers for the past 12 years. Except for New Zealand, no other nation allows it.
"Many of these discounts are aimed at co-pays, which could increase costs to consumers via health insurance premiums," Weppner said.
According to the study, 50% of the most prescribed medicines in 2007 come with Internet options.
Patients typically must present the coupon or voucher to a prescribing healthcare provider to obtain a prescription, and then give the coupon and prescription to a pharmacist.
The researchers cited evidence that clinicians' decisions to prescribe specific medication may be influenced by patient requests based on direct-to-consumer advertisements and by the availability of samples, a UW release said.
The article was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
