Health Hazard: Drugs you should never buy online

There’s almost nothing you cannot find online these days. We’ve bought things like makeup brushes, clothes and even beds from online stores with no problems whatsoever.

However, you need to exercise caution with certain items as online sources can be dubious. According the World Health Organisation, one in two medicines sold over the web is bogus. The European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines reported in 2008 that three in five medicines sold online are either phonies or sub-standard.

Online medicines or health products may be a lot cheaper than in brick and mortar stores but they come with stringent qualifications and control. In Singapore, the Health Sciences Authority monitors and approves the products before they are even sold.

Unless the products come from legitimate online pharmacies, here are a few things you should never buy online.

WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS

Buying weight loss supplements is extremely dangerous as you don’t know if they contain unapproved ingredients. There have been instances where weight supplements sold online comprise harmful substances like dinitrophenol that recently caused the death of a 21-year-old in Britain.

BIRTH CONTROL

A regulated website would require you to fill in a prescription which will then be viewed by a doctor in order to get your pills. Birth control pills sold without a prescription are illegal and more often than not, an imitation. And that’s certainly extremely dangerous!

LIBIDO DRUGS

We’ve all heard horror stories of men and women buying miracle pills off peddlers that promise to increase sexual prowess or libido only to end up consuming harmful amounts of stimulating substances resulting in poisoning.

BREAST MILK

Yes, you read right. There a certain individuals that have been selling their breast milk online. Needless to say, breast milk from a stranger is an extremely bad idea! It can contain infections like hepatitis or even HIV. If you are unable to produce enough breast milk for your infant, consult your doctor for alternative formulas. Not a stranger’s breast milk!

Cheryl Lee