News Releases

Important notice regarding buying drugs via internet

May 6, 2004 - Some people are choosing to buy their medicines online. The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association urges buyers to be careful that they use reputable suppliers to ensure that they get safe, quality drugs.

Although there are honest, reputable pharmacies providing their services and products online, unfortunately there are also less-than-honest sellers, posing as pharmacies, out there too.

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 considering 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.

Please be aware that Canadian generic drug manufacturers sell their products to Canadian licensed pharmacies. Canadian generic manufacturers and the representative industry association, the CGPA, do not sell prescription medicines directly to patients.

So please keep the following advice in mind if you are considering buying over the Internet:

• DO be vigilant. Are you dealing with reputable suppliers? Reputable pharmacies clearly list licensing registration information and contact information. Phone the number given and see who answers. You can do Internet searches to see if the company or its address exists. You can check with the licensing body of the relevant pharmacy organization. If you can’t get in touch with a supplier any way except by Internet, it’s not a good sign.
  
  
• DO be diligent researching before spending money. Are these drugs even 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 get the list of all Canadian approved products, including the names of the manufacturers. The Health Canada site is found at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/tpd-dpt/dpd_index_e.html
  
  
• DO 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.
  
  
• DON’T be hasty in giving 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.
  

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