Do cheap internet drugs threaten the safety of the doctor–patient relationship?

Abstract

During traditional office visits, trusted physicians give their patients careful and leisurely diagnostic attention, communicate sound and understandable clinical impressions and, more often than not, write prescriptions that can be filled at convenient neighborhood pharmacies. Or do they? In reality, harried doctors rush through appointments, leaving patients confused about prescriptions they cannot afford, either because their insurance plans do not cover the recommended medication or because they lack the cash to pay out of pocket for obscenely priced products. Internet pharmaceutical acquisition offers a cheap alternative. Or does it?

Keywords::

• doctor–patient relationship
• generic pharmaceuticals
• internet drug access
• online pharmacies
• rogue pharmacies
• safe prescriptions