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AARP AARP States Colorado

Counterfeit Medicines Can Leave You Under the Weather

Depressed Senior Man Looking Through Rows of Prescription Medica
Photo courtesy by istockphoto.com/smartstock
Roel Smart



Many of us rely on medications to live better lives as we age. Unfortunately, scammers are aware of this and sell replicas of many types of drugs online. Fake drugs are sold at a steep discount via the Internet, but they often contain the wrong medication and dangerous ingredients.

A 2013 study by the U.S. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) analyzed more than 10,000 online pharmacy websites and discovered that 97 percent of them were out of compliance with U.S. pharmacy laws. In many cases, fake drugs are made to look like the real medication. That’s why the FBI provides these tips for recognizing the various ways to avoid counterfeit prescription drugs:

  • Beware of medications that are sold on the Internet. DO NOT purchase medication from an unlicensed online distributer. A reputable online pharmacy must have a seal of approval called the “Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS)”, accredited by NABP.
  • Be cautious of “special deals” that offer cheap medications. These are likely to be associated with counterfeit drugs.
  • Closely examine the packaging and identifying numbers of your prescription drugs. Be wary of any changes from one prescription to the next, or any changes in appearance.
  • If you experience unusual side effects from your medication, or if your condition does not improve, immediately consult your pharmacist and physician.

 

Always conduct proper research into the source of the medication before you consume the product, and if you have any questions, be sure to ask your pharmacist or your physician.

You also can report online medication scams to the FBI at www.ic3.gov or call an AARP Foundation ElderWatch specialist.

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