Los Angeles Times
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Due to the high
cost of prescription drugs in the United States, approximately five million
Americans purchase medication internationally. The Food and Drug Administration
labels these drugs “foreign” and “unapproved,” and Federal Law states it is
illegal to buy prescription drugs abroad.
Large Drug
companies have lobbied for nearly 15 years to stop Americans from buying drugs
overseas.
Tiffany Ardley, FAMU Alumna and Assistant Professor at the
college of Pharmacy states,
“We have
the benefit of being regulated by the FDA, meaning the drugs can’t be counterfeit.”
She continued to explain, that for our safety, the drug has to endure a long
process, pass safety tests and clinical trials for it to be approved. When one purchases
overseas you run the risk of it being counterfeit and not knowing what ingredients
are in the drug.
Drug companies
stress the malignant effect of consuming counterfeit drugs through public education and media campaigns.
In continents like Africa, Asia and South America more than 30 percent of the
medicines are counterfeit. High
counterfeit percentages reach as high as 70 percent in some areas. Some
question the dangers of toxic and deadly ingredients inside fake medication.
Health risks are
involved when purchasing these drugs. The United States Customs is allowed to
annihilate medications imported to patients, according to section 708 of the
FDA Safety and Innovation Act.
The No. 1 reason
why Americans do not take prescribed medication is due to drug costs, reports
CVS Pharmacists. The National Consumer League believes that approximately
125,000 Americans die each year from either not taking prescribed drugs or not
taking them correctly.
"I know that drugs are very expensive. Some drugs you can only get brand name, you can't get generics," Ardley said.
Some advice Ms. Ardley mentioned are that there are several prescription programs that can assist with lowering the cost of medication. Some Pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide the drug at a lower cost. She also suggested telling your doctor if you cannot afford the drug, and asking your doctor if they have a generic form of the drug.
Some advice Ms. Ardley mentioned are that there are several prescription programs that can assist with lowering the cost of medication. Some Pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide the drug at a lower cost. She also suggested telling your doctor if you cannot afford the drug, and asking your doctor if they have a generic form of the drug.
By Gabrielle Dawkins, with contributions from the New York Times
Photo, Los Angeles Times
Video, ABC News
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