Thursday, February 11, 1999
Internet drug sales worry Ohio medical officials
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The growing popularity of selling drugs over the Internet has state medical officials considering tougher regulations of cyber-prescriptions.
“The Internet is like an enlarged street corner,” said Tom Dilling, government affairs officer for the State Medical Board.
“We are looking at rules that would clarify the type of prescribing that is going on without ever seeing a patient,” Mr. Dilling said. “We feel this practice falls below the minimal standard of care.”
Popular drugs sold over the Internet include the impotence drug Viagra, hair-loss drug Propecia, smoking-cessation drug Zyban and weight-loss drug Meridia.
The board already expects doctors to physically examine patients and make a diagnosis before prescribing drugs and controlled substances. But a board committee is studying rules that would make those rules stronger.
Doctors who do not follow the rules are subject to discipline by the board.
“It has grown to the point that the medical board thought it should take a look at the practice,” said William Schmidt, assistant to the medical board's director.
“A lot of doctors are seduced by the idea of providing drugs over the Internet, but under federal law, drugs are only to be given under the supervision of a physician.”
Many of the Internet-popular drugs can have serious side effects.
Viagra, for example, has been linked to several deaths and Propecia can cause birth defects if pregnant women even touch the pill.
Most of the World Wide Web sites where drugs are sold require patients to sign waivers agreeing not to sue over side effects.
Most also charge a consulting fee, as much as $75 per prescription, for physicians to review medical questionnaires completed by patients.
While the rules are written with Ohio doctors in mind, they would apply to anyone who prescribes drugs over the Internet to anyone in Ohio.
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Internet drug sales worry Ohio medical officials
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