Advocacy

International

Purchase of Drugs via the Internet

The Issue:

Canadian consumers who choose to purchase medications online must take measures to verify the identity of online pharmaceutical suppliers to ensure they receive medicines approved by Health Canada for sale in Canada.

Background:

While there are several legitimate pharmacies that provide their services and products online, there are also many less-than-honest sellers posing as pharmacies on the Internet.

The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) is aware of some of these dishonest operations and has taken action to try to stop the ones identifying themselves as specific suppliers of Canadian generic drugs. But the Internet is hard to police, especially with the international scope of these operations. Disreputable suppliers rely on the high reputation of Canadian approved generic drugs and our lower costs to entice buyers around the world.

Generic drug manufacturers in Canada sell their products to licensed pharmacies. Canadian generic manufacturers and CGPA do not sell prescription medicines directly to patients.

Consumers should keep the following advice in mind if they are considering buying over the Internet:

Are you dealing with reputable suppliers?

Reputable pharmacies clearly list their licensing registration and contact information. Phone the number given and see who answers. You can do Internet searches to see if the company and address exists. You can check with the licensing body of the relevant pharmacy organization. If the only way to contact the supplier is via the Internet, it’s not a good sign.

Are these drugs approved in Canada?

Health Canada maintains a website of all products approved in Canada. By typing in the “drug or generic” name of the drug (not the brand name) a person can access the list of all Canadian approved products, including the names of the manufacturers. The Health Canada site is found at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/tpd-dpt/dpd_index_e.html

Is a prescription required?

Be suspicious if a site claims that you won’t need a prescription to get prescription drugs. All reputable pharmacies require a prescription signed by your own physician.

How long has the website been in operation?

Don’t be hasty in giving your money away. Make sure that the supplier has been in business for a period of time. Go back and check the website and email address in one week, two weeks or three weeks to see if it is still there before buying anything.

CGPA Position: Canadian consumers who decide to purchase medications online must take steps to ensure they are dealing with reputable online pharmacies. CGPA supports the continuing efforts of Canadian health and law enforcement agencies to keep illegal counterfeit drugs out of the hands of unsuspecting Canadian consumers. CGPA also supports the Government of Canada’s involvement in international initiatives to combat counterfeit drugs.

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	Purchase of Drugs via the Internet