Let's be honest. Prescription drug prices are simply out of control. Even with Medicare and other insurance plans, the prices consumers have to pay are often too much for senior citizens on a fixed income.

Many people have turned to Canada as a source for inexpensive alternatives for their prescription meds, but the FDA is warning seniors and others not to get prescription drugs from websites that have orders filled by Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, Canada.

The reason? Counterfeit drugs. Currently the FDA, as well as international law enforcement, is investigating an influx of counterfeit medications that have been finding their way from "Canadian pharmacies" and into homes across the U.S. If you have gotten any drugs from the websites mentioned above, the FDA advises you to not use them because they may do more harm than good.

Early lab tests have turned up counterfeit versions of Lipitor, Diovan, Actonel, Nexium, Hyzaar, Ezetrol (known as Zetia in the United States), Crestor, Celebrex, Arimidex, and Propecia. These are all medications that can only be distributed through a licensed pharmacy from a prescription written by your physician.

In addition the following websites are also known to have gotten prescription drug orders filled from Mediplan or are operated by Mediplan:

• http://www.rxnorth.com/ 
• http://www.canadiandrugstore.com/ 
• http://www.rxbyfax.com/ 
• http://www.northcountryrx.com/ 
• http://www.canada-pharmacy.com/ 
• http://www.my-canada-pharmacy.com/ 
• http://www.nlrx.com/ 
• http://www.canampharmacy.com/ 
• http://www.canada-meds-for-less.net/ 
• http://www.canadian-safe.com/

Seniors need to be especially cautious because these websites are made to appear reputable. However, many don't operate here in the U.S. and provide drugs from dubious sources.

In August of 2005 the FDA intercepted drugs at New York, Miami and Los Angeles airports. These imported drugs were being shipped to people who thought they were getting them from Canadian pharmacies, when in fact they were actually coming from as many as 27 other countries around the world. In addition, a lot of these medications were found to be counterfeit.

The importance of getting your prescription medications from a known, reputable source can't be stressed enough. There's no doubt that you can often find cheaper prices on the web, but counterfeit drugs are becoming better and better at fooling people.

Pills and packaging are often identical down to the smallest detail. And while some of these counterfeit drugs are nothing but placebos, which won't do you a bit of good, while others might be toxic, which can lead to worsening health problems or even death.

The bottom line is that saving some money isn't worth losing your life. Shop smart.