Current Online-Prescriptions News Results

Make life a little easier. Online prescriptions reap rewards for doctors and patients.

Mark Health Serv. 2003; 23(2): 44-6
Sternberg DJ

Online prescriptions of pharmaceuticals: where is the evidence for harm or for benefit? A call for papers--and for reflection.

J Med Internet Res. 2001 Jan-Mar; 3(1): E1
Eysenbach G

Online prescribing of sildanefil (Viagra) on the world wide web.

J Med Internet Res. 1999 Oct-Dec; 1(2): E10
Eysenbach G

BACKGROUND: A growing number of prescription medicines such as Viagra are offered and sold directly to consumers on the Internet. Little is known about the structure and "quality" of these "virtual pharmacies" in terms of how responsibly "online-prescriptions" are actually issued. OBJECTIVE: To determine to what extent Viagra is sold on the Internet despite clear contraindications. METHODS: The World Wide Web was searched for companies who offer to issue prescriptions for Viagra online or sell Viagra without prescription. We pretended to be a patient in which the ordered drug (Viagra) is clearly contraindicated, and tried to obtain an online prescription for this drug on the Internet. Our test case was as a 69-year-old woman giving a sexual history of having "no orgasm," with obesity (165 cm/78 kg), coronary artery disease, and hypertension, and taking captopril, pravachol, atenolol, and erythromycin. RESULTS: Twenty-two distinct companies were identified, consisting of three different types: 2 required a written prescription by a "real" physician, 9 dispensed the drug without any prescription at all, and 11 issued an "online prescription" after an alleged physician reviewed the online order form containing medical questions. We tested 10 of the latter type, among them 8 based in the USA. We ordered a total of 66 pills worth US$ 1,802.84. Three companies, among them both European companies, delivered within 6, 10, and 34 days respectively, despite Viagra being clearly contraindicated. In 80% no complete history was taken, in 70% inappropriate medical terminology was used, and in only 2 cases was the order form reviewed by a physician who identified himself. CONCLUSIONS: Although a surprisingly high number of Internet pharmacies declined delivery, the public should be alerted to the risks involved with prescription drug prescribing and dispensing via the Internet.

Sildenafil and the Internet.

J Urol. 2000 Mar; 163(3): 919-23
Kahan SE, Seftel AD, Resnick MI

PURPOSE: The Internet is changing the way medicine is being practiced and challenging our notions of the doctor-patient relationship. We analyze the development of online prescriptions and propose guidelines for the sale of sildenafil over the Internet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using MEDLINE, Medscape and Lexis-Nexis search engines we reviewed pertinent materials from January 1996 to July 1999 focusing on the keywords Viagra, prescription and Internet. The review included press releases, law review articles, case law, medical literature, pending litigation, proposed legislation, and federal and state statutes. RESULTS: Online prescriptions are an outgrowth of the mail order drug business. This development continues the historic innovations in communications and transportation that have enabled physicians to practice medicine over long distances while maintaining ties to hospitals and other specialists. While the sale of sildenafil over the Internet may be profitable and convenient, it raises a variety of legal, ethical and safety concerns. Many federal and state organizations have addressed the issue without establishing a clear standard. CONCLUSIONS: A clear distinction exists between online prescriptions and pharmacies. While it may be acceptable for sildenafil to be sold over the Internet given current technologies, it must be done within the confines of a traditional doctor-patient relationship. Online prescriptions must be limited to patients who live in states in which the prescribing physician is licensed. Failure to establish a doctor patient relationship in this context breeches ethical standards, and may give rise to potential civil and criminal liabilities.