Using medicines bought on the Net? URGENT

Many thanks to Connie who carried this link, which is NOT a hoax and needs to be relayed on.

The FDA has issued an alert for consumers who take medicines bought on the Net. Apparently, there are pills marketed on-line that are not what they seem. Read more in this message from the Emergency Email Network
Generally, it is not a good idea to purchase medicines on the Internet. I am aware that the temptation is there, because they can be on offer for fantastically low prices.

However, you have to bear in mind that medicines purchased through a registered pharmacy have a guarantee on them. They ARE what it says on the label, unlike the products referred to in the above link. Regular medicines are subject to very strict controls, and they have to be licensed with the Department of Health. If anything is wrong with them, the manufacturer can be held to account, should it be their fault.

You have NO recourse in the case of Internet medicines, as their source can be obscure or totally untraceable. They are not necessarily subject to the same rigid requirements as medicines bought in a pharmacy.

Don't do it.

That's the only advice I give when people are considering purchasing medicines on-line.