Buying Prescription Drugs Online

Tips For Consumers

• Talk to your health-care professional before using any medications for the first time.
  
  
• If the site is based in the U.S., check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net, 847-698-6227) to determine whether the site represents a licensed pharmacy. If you're purchasing from a Canadian site, ask for its license number and the phone number of its provincial license board; call the board to verify.
  
  
• Don't buy from sites that offer to prescribe a prescription drug the first time without a physical exam, or sell a prescription drug without a prescription. If you're suspicious, check the FDA's list of sites that may be offering prescription drugs illegally.
  
  
• Don't do business with sites that don't have access to a registered pharmacist. Look for indications that a site does have access — the better sites will call attention to this feature as a benefit to users.
  
  
• Avoid sites that do not provide the name of a company, its address and phone number. Try the number before buying online to make sure it works. Consult the Consumer Reports WebWatch guidelines for all sites if you are uncertain about what to do.
  
  
• Beware of sites that advertise complete or quick cures for serious disorders or a wide range of ailments.
  
  
• Stay away from sites using confusing medical terms or those that claim the government, the medical profession, or research scientists have conspired to suppress the drug.
  
  
• Avoid sites that feature undocumented case histories claiming "amazing" results.

Consumers who suspect a site is illegal can report it to the FDA.

If you think you've been a victim of fraud, contact the National Fraud Information Center (800-876-7060).

Source: The FDA