Warning over buying Alzheimer's drugs online

Islanders are being warned not to buy Alzheimer's drugs on the internet - because you could be putting your health in jeopardy.

In Jersey, health authorities and Alzheimer's organisations have warned people with dementia and their families about the dangers of buying unprescribed drugs online.

One of the drugs people are getting hold of online is Reminyl - also known as Galantamine - which is licensed to tackle dementia and should only be available by prescription from Memory Clinics who treat those with memory disorders.

Dr Juan Melendez, Psychiatrist in the Jersey Memory Clinic, said: "There are several concerns surrounding the purchase of drugs online, and we would urge people not to do so.

"The online product has unknown origins. You could be buying it from a not-licensed pharmacy, or not a pharmacy at all. Secondly, the item you buy online might not contain an active ingredient or contain a different one, and also it could contain a different dose to the one advertised.

"We would also ask people to take into account all the risks associated to buying without medical prescription such as interactions with other medicines and side effects, which in the case of Galantamine could be potentially serious if there is history of pre-existing heart disease, gastrointestinal ulcer/bleeding, severe lung disease, and other conditions.

"These drugs may not be approved by the the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority)."

Jo Cummins, manager of the Jersey Alzheimer's Association added: "It is concerning for us that that one can buy this product on line, and we would not want people to do this in order to self-prescribe. This could be worrying if the Memory Clinic has deemed that the drug is not suitable for a particular person, so we would urge people always to seek medical advice before taking any drug which claims to help stop Alzheimer's."

(from CTV)