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Published on: April 23, 2019

Is the online drugs market putting patients at risk?

Emma Wilkinson

    Nursing Times
    |December 6, 2006
    PubMed

    Insights

    Patients with cancer are ordering vital medications like bevacizumab and erlotinib online due to UK access issues. Health authorities warn against internet drug purchases without a prescription, citing significant risks.

    Area of Science:

    • Oncology
    • Pharmacology
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Patients with advanced bowel cancer and lung cancer face challenges accessing crucial medications within the UK.
    • Online pharmacies are increasingly used by patients to obtain prescription drugs, including cancer therapies such as bevacizumab (Avastin) and erlotinib (Tarceva).

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To highlight the trend of cancer patients sourcing medications online due to accessibility issues in the UK.
    • To discuss the regulatory challenges and inherent dangers associated with the growth of online pharmacies and self-prescribing of cancer drugs.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of current practices regarding online medication procurement by cancer patients.
    • Analysis of warnings and guidelines issued by international and national health regulatory bodies.
    • Discussion of the risks associated with unregulated online pharmacies and self-medication.

    Main Results:

    • A growing number of cancer patients are resorting to ordering medications, such as bevacizumab and erlotinib, via the internet.
    • The World Health Organization and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) strongly caution against purchasing medicines online without a valid prescription.
    • Significant concerns exist regarding the regulation of online pharmacies and the potential dangers of patients self-prescribing.

    Conclusions:

    • The accessibility of essential cancer drugs in the UK is a critical issue driving patients to seek alternatives online.
    • Purchasing medications from the internet poses substantial risks due to inadequate regulation and the dangers of self-prescribing.
    • Urgent attention is needed to address drug accessibility and reinforce safe medication practices for cancer patients.

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