Rochdale shoppers could die of embarrassment!

Date published: 24/04/2006

Rochdale shoppers too embarrassed to go to their doctor for a prescription are being warned they could be putting their health at risk by buying medicines via the internet.

Medicines including sleeping tablets, male impotence cures and tablets claiming to stop people smoking and help weight loss are widely available to buy online.

But the European Commission has warned that some may be counterfeit, made with substitute ingredients in unhygienic conditions and are potentially dangerous.

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Chris Davies sits on the public health committee in the European Parliament.  He is warning that people who buy medicines over the internet must be cautious about putting their health at risk.

He said:  “Counterfeiters selling these drugs are exploiting people’s reluctance to discuss some embarrassing medical problems with their GP.

“But you could literally die from embarrassment by purchasing drugs from some internet suppliers. Taking a prescription drug without being examined by a doctor is like playing Russian Roulette with your health.”

The European Commission recently issued a warning about an obesity drug called Rimonabrant sold via the internet.  The medicine has not been approved for sale and is still undergoing tests.

To be marketed in the EU all medicines must undergo a rigorous evaluation for authorisation to demonstrate that they are effective, safe and of high quality.

“With recent events having highlighted that even authorised medical trials of new drugs can go horribly wrong a cautious approach must make sense,” commented Mr Davies.