The National Crime Prevention Council Wants Consumers to Buy Medicines Safely

The National Crime Prevention Council has released a guide about how to find a safe online pharmacy and protect yourself from products that may be contaminated, counterfeit or not approved by the FDA.

The National Crime Prevention Council has released a guide about how to find a safe online pharmacy and protect yourself from products that may be contaminated, counterfeit or non-FDA approved. The brochure reviews safety precautions and provides information about how to report suspicious drugs. Their tips for patients include:

• being familiar with the color, size, shape, taste and side effects of their medication so that they can detect counterfeits more easily

• making certain that their pharmacy is domestic and that it is licensed and in good standing by contacting the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net, 847-698-6227)

• never purchasing drugs without a prescription, examining drug packaging for tampering

• using common sense about unrealistic claims a website may make about medicines it is selling

Learn more by downloading NCPP’s brochure.