Death shows danger of internet drug buying
National's Jackie Blue concerned anti-depressants bought though internet made it past Customs; man dies from overdosing
26 May 2007
National is raising concerns about buying prescription medicines online after a Blenheim man died as a result of overdosing on anti-depressants he had purchased from India on the internet.
It is illegal in New Zealand to have prescription-only medicines which have not been obtained with a prescription. Marlborough's coroner has expressed concern the pills in the Blenheim case made it through the mail system and past Customs.
National's Associate Health spokeswoman Dr Jackie Blue says people can import drugs, but need to prove to Customs they have been prescribed by a doctor.
She says it is a concern this did not happen in the Blenheim case. Dr Blue says with a proliferation of drug advertising in the form of spam email, people are likely to try to buy more medication online. She is calling for an education programme on the dangers of self-medicating.
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