Last week we listed some of the dangers in buying medications and other medical products online. Here are tips to guide your purchases from online Websites:

• Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net or 847-698-6227) to determine if a Website is a licensed pharmacy in good standing.
• Don't buy from sites that offer to send you a prescription drug without a physical exam or without a prescription.
• Don't buy from sites that offer to sell drugs that are not approved by the FDA.
• Don't do business with sites that have no access to a registered pharmacist to answer your questions.
• Avoid sites that do not identify who they are or don't provide a U.S. address and phone no. to contact.
• Don't purchase from foreign Websites; it is generally illegal to import the drugs bought from these sites and the risks are greater. Also, there is very little the U.S. government can do if you get ripped off.
• Beware of sites that advertise a "new cure" for a serious disorder, or a quick cure-all for a wide range of ailments.
• Be careful of sites that use impressive-sounding terminology to disguise a lack of good science. Also be wary of sites that claim the government, the medical profession, or research scientists have conspired to suppress their product.
• Steer clear of sites that include undocumented case histories claiming amazing results.

And remember, always talk to your doctor before using any new medication, no matter where you get it.

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