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Adapted from Buying Prescription
Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide fda.gov
Some websites that sell medicine
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aren’t U.S. state-licensed pharmacies or aren’t pharmacies at all
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may give a diagnosis that is not correct and sell medicine that is not right for you or your condition
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won’t protect your personal information
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Some medicines sold online
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Are fake (counterfeit or “copycat” medicines)
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Are too strong or too weak
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have dangerous ingredients
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have expired (are out-of-date)
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aren’t FDA-approved (haven't been checked for safety and effectiveness)
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aren’t made using safe standards
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aren’t safe to use with other medicine or products you use
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aren’t labeled, stored, or shipped correctly
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Meet and Talk with your Doctor
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Talk with your doctor and have a physical exam before you get any new medicine for the first time.
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Use ONLY medicine that has been prescribed by your doctor
or another trusted professional who is licensed in the U.S. to write prescriptions for medicine.
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Ask your doctor if there are any special steps you need to take to fill your prescription.
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Self Help Tips
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Know Your Source
Make sure the website or medication source:
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is a state-licensed pharmacy that is located in the United States.
Pharmacies and pharmacists in the United States are licensed by a state's board of pharmacy. Your state board of pharmacy can tell you if a website is a state-licensed pharmacy, is in good standing, and is located in the United States.
Check www.nabp.info
for a list of state boards of pharmacy on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Check www.vipps.info
for more on this program and a list of pharmacies that display the
Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ Seal, (VIPPS® Seal).
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has a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions
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require a prescription from your doctor or other health care professional who is licensed in the United States to write prescriptions for medicine have a
way for you to talk to a person if you have problems
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Be Sure Your Privacy is Protected
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Look for privacy and security policies that are easy-to-find and easy-to-understand.
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Don’t give any personal information (such as social security number, credit card, or medical or health history), unless you are sure the website will keep your information safe and private.
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Make sure that the site will not sell your information, unless you agree.
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Protect Yourself and Others
| Go to www.fda.gov/buyonline
and click on “Notify FDA about problem websites”
to report websites you are not sure of, or if you have complaints about a site.
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Buying your medicine online can be easy. Just make sure you do it safely.
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For more information on buying medicines and medical products over the Internet, go to www.fda.gov and click on “Buying Medicines Online,” or go directly to
www.fda.gov/buyonline
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Counterfeit medicine www.fda.gov/counterfeit
Generic drugs www.fda.gov/cder/ogd
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
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