Editorial: Buying drugs via the 'Net is risky business

U.S. Internet pharmacies are able to sell these drugs to patients because they have doctors who are supposed to question patients online before approving the prescription. But an Associated Press reporter detailed recently just what a farce this is, getting Viagra after answering just one health question. More amazing is that the reporter got the male impotence pill even after disclosing she was female.

To permit this situation to continue would be disastrous, resulting in unnecessary deaths of patients who either take unproven and unsafe medications or those who take the wrong medication because they haven't been properly examined by a doctor. While Nevada is fortunately one of a growing number of states barring Internet sales unless a doctor also sees the patient in person, this practice is not widespread.

The Food and Drug Administration should be commended for its plan to meet soon with state regulators and find ways to tackle this trend nationally, rather than have each state go it alone. Prohibiting any commerce over the Internet, even when it is illegal, is difficult, but federal regulators need to develop innovative strategies to clamp down on this dangerous practice that threatens the public health.

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