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Although it may be tempting to buy health supplies like supplements on Instagram, it’s a better idea to avoid these ads in case they are scams. Dr. Jessica Nouhavandi, the lead pharmacist and CEO of a new online pharmacy called Honeybee Health, explains the risks of purchasing health supplies on Instagram.
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According to Dr. Nouhavandi, it's important to watch out for scams while shopping on Instagram: "The high cost of prescription drugs and healthcare coverage, in addition to fears about shortages and lack of availability amongst COVID-19, has led many to turn to scams on Instagram and other social media platforms. The FDA has repeatedly signaled out healthcare scams related to the coronavirus."
She explained how these scammers are trying to take advantage of the current health crisis: "Some scammers claim to have cheap prescription medicines from Canadian pharmacies or other places overseas, as healthcare costs are often much cheaper there."
It's also a good idea to be wary of any supplements or diet plans for sale on the app: "There are also a number of 'wellness' scams on Instagram due to the popularity of the self-care movement on the app. This has led to many people buying supplements or diet plans that have no scientific backing and are purely money-making schemes."
This is also due to the lack of regulation. Nouhavandi explained: "Loose and unclear regulations concerning telemedicine have only compounded the issue and created room for more scams."
Instead of falling for these scams, it's a better idea to stick to health products that require a doctor's prescription. With that in mind, steering clear of fad supplements or diet plans is a good idea, especially when seeing ads on Instagram.
