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Stay Safe: FDA guide to buying Medicines online

Last update: 05/29/2014

Adapted from Buying Prescription Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide FDAA.gov 

Download and Print our
Medication Checklist by PAL PDF

Alert: 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

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have expired (are out-of-date)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

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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ONLY use 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.

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
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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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For related information, go to
Imported medicine www.fda.gov/importeddrugs 
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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)
 
Disclaimer:  The information on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for 
professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician.
For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. 
Patients Against Lymphoma, Copyright © 2004,  All Rights Reserved.