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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Warning over internet painkillers | Warning over internet painkillers |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| UK experts have warned of the dangers of purchasing drugs online after a study showed wide availability of strong painkillers over the internet. | |
| A team at Edinburgh University found 35 websites selling prescription-only pain drugs to UK customers without requiring a prescription. | A team at Edinburgh University found 35 websites selling prescription-only pain drugs to UK customers without requiring a prescription. |
| Government regulators warned that buying medicines online may have "deadly" consequences. | Government regulators warned that buying medicines online may have "deadly" consequences. |
| The results appear in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. | The results appear in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. |
| By trawling for online pharmacy sites through Google and Yahoo search engines, the researchers found almost 100 selling medicines to UK consumers. | By trawling for online pharmacy sites through Google and Yahoo search engines, the researchers found almost 100 selling medicines to UK consumers. |
| Almost half of those sold prescription-only painkillers but 76% did not require the customer to provide a valid prescription. | Almost half of those sold prescription-only painkillers but 76% did not require the customer to provide a valid prescription. |
| Six asked for a prescription but accepted a fax or email copy which the researchers said could be forged or modified. | Six asked for a prescription but accepted a fax or email copy which the researchers said could be forged or modified. |
| Side-effects | Side-effects |
| The drugs available included opioids such as tramadol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as naproxen and celecoxib, commonly prescribed for conditions such as arthritis. | The drugs available included opioids such as tramadol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as naproxen and celecoxib, commonly prescribed for conditions such as arthritis. |
| They can have severe side-effects and some should not be taken in conjunction with other medicines or in people with certain conditions, the researchers said. | They can have severe side-effects and some should not be taken in conjunction with other medicines or in people with certain conditions, the researchers said. |
| At best you will be wasting your money and at worst they could be deadly Spokeswoman, MHRA | At best you will be wasting your money and at worst they could be deadly Spokeswoman, MHRA |
| Co-proxamol - a drug which has been removed from the market in the UK due to concerns over the risk of overdose - was available from three websites. | Co-proxamol - a drug which has been removed from the market in the UK due to concerns over the risk of overdose - was available from three websites. |
| The researchers did not take the final step of actually buying the medicines as they felt it would not be ethical. | The researchers did not take the final step of actually buying the medicines as they felt it would not be ethical. |
| Study author Professor David Webb, an expert in clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said these were drugs that people should not be taking without advice from a doctor, but they were available with a couple of clicks of the mouse. | Study author Professor David Webb, an expert in clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said these were drugs that people should not be taking without advice from a doctor, but they were available with a couple of clicks of the mouse. |
| "We were surprised at how many sites you could go to and find, in some cases, quite potent painkillers that have addictive potential and that you could get them without prescription." | "We were surprised at how many sites you could go to and find, in some cases, quite potent painkillers that have addictive potential and that you could get them without prescription." |
| He added: "The regulators are very aware of this problem and it is not one they can easily manage. | He added: "The regulators are very aware of this problem and it is not one they can easily manage. |
| "But there certainly needs to be some sort of international agreement." | "But there certainly needs to be some sort of international agreement." |
| Illegal sales | Illegal sales |
| A spokeswoman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said although the sale of prescription only medicines without a proper patient consultation was illegal it was not illegal to buy medicines online. | A spokeswoman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said although the sale of prescription only medicines without a proper patient consultation was illegal it was not illegal to buy medicines online. |
| "But we strongly advise people that buying drugs or slimming products from the internet is not a good idea, unless buying from a website that has a Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) internet pharmacy logo. | "But we strongly advise people that buying drugs or slimming products from the internet is not a good idea, unless buying from a website that has a Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) internet pharmacy logo. |
| "At best you will be wasting your money and at worst they could be deadly. | "At best you will be wasting your money and at worst they could be deadly. |
| "You don't know what these products contain and you don't know in what conditions they have been made." | "You don't know what these products contain and you don't know in what conditions they have been made." |
| The RPSGB launched their logo scheme for bone fide pharmacy websites at the beginning of 2008. | The RPSGB launched their logo scheme for bone fide pharmacy websites at the beginning of 2008. |
| Priya Sejpal, RPSGB head of professional ethics, said: "Internet pharmacy undoubtedly offers patients easy access and choice, but it also brings increased risk. | Priya Sejpal, RPSGB head of professional ethics, said: "Internet pharmacy undoubtedly offers patients easy access and choice, but it also brings increased risk. |
| "There are a growing number of unregulated suppliers operating online with no professional qualifications or healthcare expertise. | "There are a growing number of unregulated suppliers operating online with no professional qualifications or healthcare expertise. |
| "In many cases, medicines purchased from such suppliers are counterfeit, substandard or unapproved new drugs." | "In many cases, medicines purchased from such suppliers are counterfeit, substandard or unapproved new drugs." |