Learn How to Avoid Fake Online Pharmacies

Learn How to Avoid Fake Online Pharmacies

Learn How to Avoid Fake Online Pharmacies

USA.gov sent this bulletin at 10/18/2012 08:10 AM EDT

Ninety seven percent of online pharmacies don't follow U.S. pharmacy laws. If you buy from one of these online pharmacies, you run a high risk of receiving counterfeit or substandard drugs. You also put your personal and financial information at risk.

Beware of an online pharmacy that shows these signs of being fake:

• Allows you to buy drugs without a prescription from your doctor.
• Offers deep discounts or cheap prices that seem too good to be true.
• Sends spam or unsolicited email offering cheap drugs.
• Is located outside of the United States.
• Is not licensed in the United States.

Look for these signs of a safe online pharmacy:

• Always requires a doctor's prescription.
• Provides a physical address and telephone number in the United States.
• Offers a pharmacist to answer your questions.
• Has a license with your state board of pharmacy. Check to see if it does.

Learn more about buying safely from the Food and Drug Administration's BeSafeRx campaign.