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Abstract
Patients who obtain these medications may suffer drug-drug interactions and adverse effects, about which they may have no/inadequate prior warning or counseling. [5] Off-shore buyers can obtain prescription drugs such as antidepressants, antianxiety medications, antihypertensives, medical termination of pregnancy kits, weight loss pills, and sildenafil citrate containing products easily. Fatality and severe adverse reactions due to consumption of diet pills, counterfeit medicines, formulations contaminated with lead and other heavy metals, wrong medicines or dose dispensed online without a prescription, and illegal use of medicines which are known to be habit forming have been reported. Legitimate sites have appropriate technology to ensure security although the use of "cookies" to collect information about visitors and lack of secure web technology are inherent risks fraudulent practices such as sending incorrect dosages or generic variants when the physician has prescribed a brand name. Government and regulatory agencies and courts of law have tried to address these controversies, but the interventions have not been able to keep pace with the rapid growth and onslaught of the "rogue" internet pharmacies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with INTERPOL and 200 law enforcement agencies around the world conducted a global action against online pharmacies, in the year 2014, wherein 237 people were arrested and more than 10,600 illicit websites were shut down. [6] Reputed sites such as the Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google permit only online pharmacies accredited through Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program to advertise in the U.S. The credit card companies including VISA...