INTERNET SALES AND ACCESS TO SAFE MEDICINE

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns the public on significant risks associated with the growth of the internet’ sales of medicines.

Unlike other consumer products purchased over the internet, medicines have the potential to cause serious side effects and health problems if not used and stored properly. It is important to seek medical advice from doctor or pharmacist before taking medicines.

Buying medicines over the internet can pose serious health risk. You will never know what exactly you are getting. Even if the medicines bought online looks the same; there is no guarantee that it is genuine. A medicine bought online may contain no active ingredient; too much or too little of active ingredients which may result to your condition not being treated correctly. Also, these medicines may not be stored correctly in accordance with its appropriate storage conditions.

In the Philippines, online selling of medicines is NOT permitted pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations. Currently, FDA only allows online ordering services provided that the seller has an existing FDA-licensed Pharmacy or Botika with physical address. Online ordering services are additional activities of a Pharmacy or Botika subject for approval of FDA.

The FDA recommends purchase of medicines from licensed pharmacies near you and seek advice from your community pharmacist on the proper and safe use of medicines.

To report continuous unauthorized sale or distribution of drug products, kindly email us via [email protected], or through the online reporting facility, eREPORT, at www.fda.gov.ph/ereport. You may also call the Center for Drug Regulation and Research at telephone number (02) 809-5596.

Dissemination of the information to all concerned is requested.

FDA Advisory No. 2019-154