Seniors Can Learn to Save Money Safely When Shopping for Medicine Online
For older consumers joining the ranks of Internet users, purchasing prescription drugs online presents opportunities for saving, but also dangers from fake online pharmacies.
A recent survey by Pew reports that 70% of Internet users 65 and older are online daily. A joint study by The Optum Institute and Harris Research discovered that 57% of Internet users over 65 are interested in communicating about their healthcare via the Internet. As more seniors begin looking for healthcare solutions online, including finding medical information and seeking out prescription medications, they are unlikely to easily distinguish verified and authentic pharmacies and health information from fake online pharmacies where counterfeit drug criminals are eager to prey upon them.
Broadband for Seniors kiosk
Mosman Council via Flickr.
For older consumers joining the ranks of Internet users, purchasing prescription drugs online presents opportunities for saving, but also dangers from fake online pharmacies.
A recent survey by Pew reports that 70% of Internet users 65 and older are online daily. A joint study by The Optum Institute and Harris Research discovered that 57% of Internet users over 65 are interested in communicating about their healthcare via the Internet. As more seniors begin looking for healthcare solutions online, including finding medical information and seeking out prescription medications, they are unlikely to easily distinguish verified and authentic pharmacies and health information from fake online pharmacies where counterfeit drug criminals are eager to prey upon them.
According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) October 2012 report, 97% of online pharmacies are unlicensed and unsafe. This presents a daunting challenge to recent Internet adopters trying to safely buy authentic medication online.
Consumers have resources to protect them, however. By seeking out websites that display the NABP’s Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) certification, consumers can save money safely when buy medication on the Internet.
Physicians can also help their patients by educating themselves how to recognize counterfeit drugs, and educating their patients about how to avoid counterfeit drugs.