Beware internet drugs

2003-03-09 22:02

Ina Opperman

Johannesburg - The Medicines Control Council (MCC) has expressed concern over South Africans who order scheduled drugs such as Prozac and Viagra from America through the internet without a prescription.

Precious Matsoso, the MCC's registrar of medicines, warned on Sunday that fines of up to R40 000 or a 10-year jail term could be imposed on such people.

"There is a great risk associated with ordering prescription medicines over the internet. You cannot take such drugs without being examined by a doctor who can determine whether it is safe to do so," she said.

At least two internet pharmacies offer scheduled medicines such as Viagra, Celebrex and Vioxx for sale without a prescription.

The websites do suggest that patients consult a doctor before ordering the drugs, but do not give any information on contra-indications associated with the medicines.

Matsoso said the MCC had no jurisdiction over international websites and that there was no existing legislation to prevent these websites from selling medicines to South Africans.

However, the council was compiling draft regulations that would give some websites permission to trade legally.

- Beeld