Net Drugs Consumer Warning

Net drugs warning

BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers yesterday against the growing trend of buying pharmaceutical drugs over the Internet after the arrest of an unlicensed online seller.

The FDA and police working against intellectual property fraud recently arrested an online seller of diet pills. They were prescription drugs and not available over the counter, according to FDA deputy secretary-general Veerawan Taengkaew, a pharmacist.

The seller has been charged and faces up to five years in jail and a Bt10,000 fine if convicted, she said.

The purchase of drugs and health items online was a worrying trend, Veerawan said. She cautioned those that did to ensure products were FDA approved.

There was a greater chance products were fake.

"Consumers who take medicine bought over the Internet do so at their own risk," she said. "It could be fatal. Buying such products is tantamount to supporting the illegal trade."

Internet users have been encouraged to call 1556 if they encounter sites selling restricted or pirated drugs.

--TNA 2007-02-27