For decades, many people developed relationships with their pharmacists. Many cities and towns had locally owned pharmacies, and pharmacists took an interest in their customers’ lives and well-being. But with the rise of corporate supermarkets and pharmacy chains, many people don’t know their pharmacists or even see them.
And in recent years, more and more people get their medications shipped to their homes without ever interacting with pharmacists. Online pharmacies are big business in the U.S. and around the world, but the lack of personal touch and human contact can leave patients wondering whether they are in good hands or if their prescriptions are being dispensed correctly.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an awareness campaign for this issue called BeSafeRx. It includes information and resources for online pharmacies users, including how to find state-licensed online pharmacies, resources for staying safe, and how to report potentially unsafe online pharmacies to authorities.
If an online pharmacy is properly licensed and part of a locally owned store or national chain, it’s probably safe to use. Checking online reviews and social media accounts can help you verify a pharmacy’s authenticity and trustworthiness. On the other hand, if the online pharmacy isn’t licensed, has bad or no reviews, or just seems “off,” there’s a good chance that buying medications from it could jeopardize your health and even your life.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel, it’s our goal to help people hurt by prescription drugs, including when they’re injured by dangerous, unlicensed pharmacies. If this describes you or someone you love, contact our drug injury lawyers today for a free consultation.