ARIZONA CENTER FOR FERTILITY STUDIES
ACFS Position Concerning Fertility Drugs On the Internet
Arizona Center for Fertility Studies fully supports a patient's right to choose where their infertility drug prescriptions are filled. We do not, however, support the purchasing of medications without a prescription from a licensed physician and from a certified licensed pharmacy. ACFS also does not support any treatment that is undertaken without a physician's evaluation and supervision. Fertility medications are extremely safe and very effective when used in a controlled environment. These drugs can be very dangerous and potentially life threatening when they are not administered and carefully monitored by an experienced infertility health care professional, trained in reproductive medicine. Unmonitored risks include multiple gestations, moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), prolonged hospitalization and in rare circumstances, even death.

ACFS does not condone or support purchasing fertility medications over the Internet. Although completely sympathetic to the reasons why someone would purchase these medications, the potential risks would include:
  • Potential for contamination of the drugs (remember the Tylenol incidence) 
  • Dangers and risks of self treatment 
  • It is illegal to sell or distribute medications without a license 
  • Potential for fraudulent activity by charging more than the seller paid for the drugs 
  • Unknown whether the drugs have expired and replaced with current packaging 
If you are unwilling to give your name, phone number or credit card information over the Internet, why would you purchase medications that you inject into your body from a total stranger?
The real problem is not the Internet, it is insurance companies. If there were more coverage for infertility treatments, couples would not have to worry about being able to afford expensive treatments and would not have to look for potentially unsafe ways to reduce the costs. Although this is not the forum to discuss insurance companies and infertility benefits, patients and physicians should join forces to mandate legislation for insurance companies to provide benefits. Thirteen states have already mandated infertility coverage.
There are safe alternatives to the potential risks of purchasing infertility medications over the Internet. Shop around among pharmacies, prices can vary greatly. Check your insurance company, you may have more benefits than you are aware of. Finally, there are reputable international pharmacies that are very competitive with US prices.
If you have any questions or comments about this statement, please feel free to e-mail us, DrJSN@acfs2000.com