News Summary: FDA warns about online pharmacies

The Associated Press

BUYER BEWARE: The Food and Drug Administration is warning U.S. consumers that the vast majority of Internet pharmacies are fraudulent and likely are selling counterfeit drugs that could harm them.

RISKY BUSINESS: Besides selling fake drugs, online pharmacies can potentially infect computers with viruses, sell personal and financial information to other rogue websites and Internet scammers, or charge shoppers for products never ordered or received.

WHERE TO GO: Shoppers should only buy from U.S.-based online pharmacies that are licensed by the pharmacy board in the patient's state and have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions. In addition, the pharmacy must require a valid doctor's prescription for the medicine.