Why would a person want to use an online pharmacy? As a family doctor, I can only think of a few reasons to do it, but there are more reasons not to do it.

First, to list the reasons why a person might want to use an online pharmacy:

1. Lowest price. In theory, it might be possible to find a better price online than at your local pharmacy. Online stores do not have the overhead of a physical store and therefore may (or may not) offer lower prices.

2. Comfort. The younger generation likes to pay bills online, watch movies online, go to school online. Why not buy medicines online? Plus, if the nearest pharmacy is 50 miles away, ordering online can save you the time and hassle of driving an hour to get medication.

3. Non-US drugs. Online pharmacies are not limited to the United States, and drugs not available here are sometimes available elsewhere.

That said, what are the dangers of using an online pharmacy?

1. There is no pharmacist to talk to. Unlike your local pharmacy where a pharmacist is available each time a medication is dispensed, online pharmacies may not offer this service. What if your pill looks different than the last time you took it? What if you received the wrong amount? What if the tablets are too hard to swallow or they crumble and crumble? Will you save money if you buy a generic that is so poorly manufactured that it is ineffective or troublesome to administer?

2. Questionable supply chain. Unless you order from a recognized pharmacy (one affiliated with an established pharmacy, such as a national chain store), how do you know where your medications come from? Just because you order them in the US doesn’t mean they come from here. Do you want drugs from Asia? How will you know the source?

3. Counterfeit or contaminated drugs. How will you know if you’re getting the right medicine, or even a medicine at all? A counterfeit Alli was recently sold online, containing an entirely different chemical in potentially dangerous doses. What if you’re allergic to something and you don’t even know what you got?

4. Illegal drug purchases. Do you know the law? Is it legal to order drugs from another country that the FDA has not approved for sale in the United States? Do you know what controlled drugs are? Is it worth the possibility of arrest?

5. No doctor to monitor medications. Your doctor will most likely not approve of certain online purchases and may not want to take responsibility for prescribing any medication you purchase through alternative sources. Who will you go to for medical advice?

6. Report of side effects. What will you do if you experience a side effect? Doctors and standard pharmacies report significant side effects to drug companies or the FDA. The US pharmaceutical industry has a responsibility to ensure the safety of approved products. If your medication has been obtained from an unofficial source, this may not be possible.

7. Dangerous drugs. There’s a reason doctors don’t recommend certain drugs, even though they’re available for sale in this country and elsewhere. For example, certain asthma medications increase blood pressure and heart rate. Do you want to take a medicine when you are not fully informed about the side effects? There are good reasons why antibiotics are not sold without a prescription. Do you know which medicine best treats which infection? Do you know what to do if it doesn’t work?

As mentioned above, an online pharmacy affiliated with a national chain store is probably as safe as going to a store pharmacy. But if you’re looking for a deal from questionable sources, think twice before placing your order.