Spring 2018 THE NEW BARKER 79 www.TheNewBarker.com Prescription medication for people and pets is a huge industry. Pharmaceutical costs continue to rise. So, it makes sense that consumers would like to save money when possible. However, the purchase of online medications (especially those without a written prescription) may wind up costing you more money in the long run as well as the potential to harm you and your pets. Consider this: •Every day, 20 new illegal pharmacies appear on the Internet, as reported by the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies. •62% of medicines purchased online are fake or substandard, as indicated in a Report from the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines. •89% of illegal online pharmacies do not require a valid prescription, as found through NABP’s (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) review and analysis. According to the NABP, buying from rogue online drug sellers puts consumers at risk of: •Receiving pills that contain fillers like drywall and rat poison. •Having your financial and other personal information stolen. •Having your email inbox flooded with spam that could infect your home computer with viruses. In the worst cases, people have died from receiving counterfeit medications that didn’t treat their serious medical conditions.” Another warning: Do not purchase medications if it’s from an online site that is on the following list: https://nabp.pharmacy/initiatives/dot- pharmacy/not-recommended-sites/ The following is a website that lists veterinary websites that have been certified by the NABP. https://www.safe.pharmacy/ buying-safely/#USvets Why risk the health of you or your pet’s by purchasing medication from unverified websites or from sites that do not require a prescription? They certainly do not have your pet’s best interest at heart. Profit is their only motive. Shop local and get pet medications, with their manufacture’s guarantee, through your local veterinarian. Are You Purchasing Medication Online and Without a Prescription? Buyer, Beware. by Timothy Hodge, DVM U