Microsoft is rolling out a new improvement to Bing that helps those who are searching the internet for online pharmacies. A new set of warnings will now be displayed on Bing if you click on a pharmaceutical site that has been cited by the FDA as a fake online pharmacy engaged in illegal activity.
For example, if the pharmacy is offering potentially dangerous, unapproved, and/or misbranded prescription drugs to US customers, a set of warnings will appear ensuring you do not become a victim. Bing will be utilizing the FDA’s public list of fake sites.
“Picture Fred, a 60-year-old man who has a few medical conditions. One of his prescriptions has run out but instead of visiting his regular doctor for a renewal, he decides to search the web where he finds several online pharmacies. One of these makes available a new drug, which is said to work better than his current prescription, and it is cheaper. He buys it. All is well until Fred starts experiencing some serious side effects. These side effects are what stopped the new drug from being approved by the FDA for sale in the United States. While Fred and his specific situation is fictional, this scenario and others like it are very real. The proliferation of online pharmacies, some of which are engaged in illegal and illegitimate practices, can pose a real threat to consumers.”
This same procedure is being utilized to warn Bing users of potential malware on websites too. Bing will not prevent you from visiting the site (ultimately that is your decision to make), but the decision engine will caution you with warnings.
“We will continue to refine our efforts in this area and look for more opportunities to help our users make more well-informed decisions as additional, highly-reliable sources of information become available to us,” the company adds.
Do you search or purchase for medicine online or would you rather get it in person from your doctor? Let us know in the comments below.
