According to a Zogby Poll (see graphic) conducted in February of this year, 31.6% of Americans who said they have never ordered a medication online from another country cited fear of substandard drugs. Another 32.3% cited the law restricting the practice. Most often (44%) people said they preferred to get medication from local pharmacists, which I liked – but I’m aware that for that group affordability was less of an issue.
What bothers me is that out of the 45 million Americans who did not fill a prescription in 2016 due to cost, how many would have been able to if educated properly about safe international online pharmacies or if the law was more permissive?
I realize the pharmaceutical industry who is the progenitor of scare tactics and lies on this issue, and the FDA, would argue, “but wait, how many were saved by the torrent of counterfeit drugs”? But the reality doesn’t support that bull. They make a much better case about difficulties reforming importation regulations to bring in lower cost medications for wholesale distribution – but that can be done, too, if Congress gets up the courage.
With proper guidance from PharmacyChecker.com about safe international online pharmacies, so many more would have been able to obtain needed, safe and affordable medication last year. While FDA doesn’t bust people for importing small quantities of mediation for personal use, the law is a deterrent. I think that’s sad when instead the FDA, using enforcement discretion permitted under current law, could identify the safest international online pharmacies, while continuing to caution consumers about rogue websites and cracking down on counterfeit drug sales. I won’t hold my breath, but you never know…
