Recently in the comments I was asked why a doctor’s prescription is required when ordering natural progesterone cream from us, whereas they can apparently order it from overseas without such a prescription. In Australia, the natural progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, Biest, etc are classified as Schedule 4 (“S4”) drugs, which means they cannot be dispensed without a prescription from an Australian doctor. We regularly tell people this.
I’m not sure on all the legalities for all other countries – it’s quite possible that overseas online pharmacies are operating in jurisdictions that aren’t as strict as Australia. It’s no secret that Americans stock up on prescription drugs while in Mexico.
Several years ago the operator of an Internet pharmacy was sentenced to jail time for sending counterfeit products overseas:
The simple fact is that when people use the Internet to obtain prescription drugs, they take a risk because the drugs might not be what they appear to be. Consumers need to be aware that many of the safeguards that exist for bricks-and-mortar pharmacies do not exist for Internet pharmacies,” (attorney) Lam said.
Kolowich operated an Internet pharmacy website at www.WorldExpressRx.com, from which customers could order prescription drugs without having a prior prescription. The website directed the customer to fill out a health questionnaire, and pay a $35 fee for a doctor’s consultation. The website falsely represented that a doctor would review the questionnaire and issue a lawful prescription before the drugs were shipped to the customers. However, there was no doctor employed by, or otherwise associated with, World Express RX, who reviewed the questionnaires.
I’m not trying to scare you – MJ Health & Beauty is also an online pharmacy, so there is also a risk involved when you order from us. However, the fact that our bricks-and-mortar pharmacy is based in Australia means that you as the consumer have recourse for action should you feel we are not adhering to relevant Australian laws.