Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - If you buy your medicines from an Internet pharmacy, you may want to know about a health alert that has been issued by the FDA.
The agency says the vast majority of Internet pharmacies are fraudulent and are likely selling counterfeit drugs that could be harmful.
The drugs are often fake, contaminated, past their expiration date, or contain no active ingredient.
Sometimes, they contain toxic substances such as arsenic and rat poison.
The FDA says only about 3 percent of online pharmacies follow state or Federal laws.
They say look for online pharmacies that are located in the US, are licensed by the pharmacy board in New York and have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.
The pharmacy must require a valid doctor’s prescription for the medicine. Online drugstores that claim you don’t need one or the site’s doctor can write one for you are breaking the law.
Click here to find more information on how to determine whether or not an online pharmacy is safe.
