(3/30/99)

Technology and convenience. Do they put your health at risk?

NBC's Health Reporter Margaret Radford's been surfing the net and found out you can buy presription drugs on-line without ever seeing a doctor.

Viagra, a wonder drug for your sex life, but with potentially deadly side effects if taken with certain other medications. Now, you can get Viagra and other prescription drugs over the internet, without ever seeing a doctor.

Dozens of web sites advertise on-line prescriptions. We decided to find out how carefully patients are screened. First a co-worker in his 20s with no health problems applies for Viagra. He agrees to the site's waiver of liability, then answers a health questionnaire truthfully.

He says, "I understand the side effect."

The order is complete. Total $198, including a $75 consultation fee. I also tried it, using a web site that advertises Viagra for women. It's not F.D.A. approved for women, but doctors can prescribe it in some cases.

We didn't have to wait long. Within just a few days, these arrived. This one addressed to one of the men that I work with. Inside, exactly what he ordered, Viagra. And this one was addressed to me, and inside it I found a bottle of Viagra.

Doctor Thomas Joas is president of the California Medical Board. He's concerned about the quality of care over the internet. "Well I think they're taking a risk with their lives."

State law says a doctor must perform a 'good faith exam' before prescribing medication.

Dr. Joas says, "The good faith exam is taken by the physician who's laying the hands on the patinet, the person who is present right there physically with the patient."

On the other hand, Dr. Daniel Thompson, of Medisource Medical Centers, insists, "It's safe, it's covenient, it's private."

Dr. Thompson runs the web site in Ohio that gave me Viagra. He says the California Medical Board hansn't told him he's doing anything wrong.

Dr. James De Yarman has a web site based in San Diego. He prescribes the baldness drug Propecia. It's not for women because it's been linked to birth defects.

Dr. De Yarman says he doesn't need to see a patient to make a diagnosis, but admits there's no way to know if someone is lying on-line.

"That we can't do anything about. We have to assume they're telling us the truth all the way as far as the consultation is concerned."

So why doesn't the medical board take action against these doctors? It says the probelm isn't a priority since it's not aware of anyone who's been hurt.

It also says this is a brand new issue, and a tough one. They say that means, buyer beware.

The California Medical Board is now investigating the groups that offer on-line prescriptions.