Health Canada: Don’t Buy Drugs at www.GlobalPharmacyCanada.com

Health Canada, the country’s national health agency, recently warned consumers about the potential dangers of purchasing prescription drugs at www.GlobalPharmacyCanada.com.

Health Canada cautions that the site is not a licensed Canadian pharmacy, and that it has not authorized the products sold by the website, according to a release from the health agency.

The company behind the website recently blocked Canadian access to it, but consumers may have purchased drugs from it in the past. Health Canada says it is currently working with the Canada Border Service Agency to insure that no drug shipments from www.GlobalPharmacyCanada.com enter the country.

The national health agency also warns that taking prescription drugs without consulting a health professional puts one at risk for potentially dangerous drug interactions and side effects.

Consumers should also be aware of claims made by online pharmacies that say they are Canadian pharmacies, because such operations may sell drugs that are not authorized for use in Canada.

Americans can protect themselves from such online pharmacies if they purchase their prescription drugs offline from a licensed U.S. pharmacy, or if they purchase them online from a pharmacy that has been certified by the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, or VIPPS, program.