FDA warning public of risks of online pharmacies

The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public that most Internet pharmacies are fraudulent, selling drugs that likely are counterfeit and could harm or even kill people.

So the FDA has just launched a national campaign, called BeSafeRx, to alert the public to the danger.

A recent survey by the agency found nearly one in four Internet shoppers has bought prescription drugs online.

Most don’t realize that only about 3 percent of online pharmacies are licensed and following the law. The rest likely are selling fake drugs that won’t help patients get better and may contain arsenic or other poisons.

A new website, at www.FDA.gov/BeSafeRx , shows people how to find safe online pharmacies. The FDA is working with other government agencies, doctors and pharmacists to spread the word.