(WTVR) – A nationwide shortage of numerous medications may have you tempted to fill some prescriptions online. But the Food and Drug Administration says that’s not always a good idea.
Most of this year’s drug shortages involved injectable medicine used for cancer treatment and anesthesia. The FDA blames manufacturing and quality problems at drug companies.
But this latest drug shortage of Adderall, which is used for treating ADHD, is affecting a lot more people.
There’s a short supply of the key ingredient used to make Adderall. The FDA warns counterfeit drugs are popping up on the internet and many people are buying it. But doctors say you should consult with them before buying any medication online.
“We often times will have other medications that can be considered, however, in some patients this may pose a hardship in either terms of cost or in some cases the medication may not be as effective,” says Dr. Andrew Adesman, who works at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Hospital.
The FDA says if you do buy prescription drugs on the internet, make sure the pharmacy is licensed in the U.S. and that a legal prescription is required.
