Fool Me Once, Shame on You

 

The last few posts I’ve mainly talked about how you can shoot yourself in the foot by misusing resources. But what about when the resources are the abusers? Medical fraud is nothing new (snake oil, anyone?), but the internet is just one more front for unscrupulous sellers to peddle their poison. Because of the anonymity of the internet, it can be even more difficult to determine the credentials of a seller than it would be otherwise.

"Snake oil" was once a popular, if ineffective, cure-all remedy.

You Give Drugs a Bad Name

In 2006, 60 Minutes aired a report on 11 people in an Atlanta-based company who were charged with selling fake drugs online. The “drugs” consisted mainly of imitations of brand-name drugs such as Viarga. No illness was reported in those who bought the drugs. However, as I mentioned in earlier posts, one of the risks of receiving false treatment is the delay of a legitimate, perhaps much-needed treatment. 

Fake Viagra seized at Chinese customs

Oh, Canada!

Don’t think you’re only being targeted by locals, either! CBS aired a report in 2002 that exposed a popular scam in Canada. Prescription drugs are cheaper in Canada than in the United States. Hence, it seems logical that Americans turn their attention to their northern neighbor when in need of some Lipitor. However, there are some caveats.

1) For one thing, it’s illegal.

2) If that’s not enough to dissuade you, consider this: last year US cizitens spent approximately $600 million in drug imports in 2007. If you were a cybercriminal, wouldn’t you want a piece of that pie? The medicines that are shipped, as in the Atlanta scam, may not even be legitimate. As CBS correspondant Cynthia Bowers reported, “there’s no guarantee that you’ll get what you pay for.”

3) Many illegal drug sellers will make you release them from any responsibility. So, even if you wanted to admit to the authorities that you were taking illegal drugs that made you sick, your officials would not be able to hold the company liable.

This probably won't happen if an American buys drugs in Canada, but would you really want to risk it?

Buyer Beware

So, while it seems convenient and inexpensive, buying drugs online will probably not save you much in terms of time, money, or health in the long run. Caveat emptor, and get your drugs with your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Check out this site to learn more about how you can protect yourself from internet medicine fraud.