It is no easy task to tell the serious from the non serious when it comes to evaluating health information published on the internet. Some sites are very well informed and updated, while others are fly by night operations, made with only one purpose in mind: to make fast money. While it is fair to have a business idea behind a health information site, it is just plain wrong to give out bad advice.
I would like to encourage the reader to check pharmacies and health portals at review sites such as http://www.netpharmreview.com. But, most importantly – ask these ten questions:
1. Who is running the website?
It should be easy to find out who is behind the operation. The site must have a valid email address and also show the physical address of the company. This is often overlooked, sadly. I am sure that the website owners and merchants would benefit from this practice as well, as customers who feel secure almost certainly have a higher conversion ratio.
2. What is the idea behind the site?
Is it a web shop or are they only providing information? A store has a clear commercial goal and can let this affect the information they give the surfer. Of course they do not want to write down their own product. Also, information sites are driven by money as well, making a profit from advertising. They are, however, by nature less likely to give out the wrong info just to sell something.
3. Where does the information come from?
Many sites collect their information from various places all across the web and compile it all in a less than serious way. Without clearly stating the source on the information. Who knows – the could have gotten it from a fly-by-night online pharmacy somewhere in India, who care less about the health and wellbeing of the consumers?
4. How is the information reviewed?
An important point. How do we know that the reviewers are qualified? Who is the reviewer? Is he or she a doctor?
5. How up to date is the information?
New medical research can have made the facts on the site outdated. Check this out!
6. How about documentation?
What is the evidence of the material presented? Do they tie things back to the original source proving facts with graphs and so on? Do they have a clear separation between things that are proven and based on evidence, compared to opinions?
7. What is the linking policy?
A serious health website should not link to loans, ringtones, HYIP deals and other non related areas on the internet. If their links page looks serious, so are they. Many sites link to anyone asking (or paying) for a link to get a higher ranking in the search engines. A good site should rank on the power of its superior content!
8. Do they sell your information?
What happens with your credit card number or email address? Will phone sales people start calling you? Check if they have a privacy policy! Things can get very nasty if the wrong person gets hold of your credit card number.
9. Is the info in the chat rooms of the site accurate?
Sometimes these areas are used to promote products instead of giving good, reliable advice. Be very careful with information from forums and chat rooms. Anyone can express an opinion there.
10. Do the claims look too good to be true?
If so, they probably are. Use common sense here, and remember – there is no thing such as a free lunch!
Daria W works as a reviewer at a serious and consumer oriented pharmacy review website, netpharmreview.com. Please visit her.
