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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

	aren’t U.S. state-licensed pharmacies or aren’t pharmacies at all
	may give a diagnosis that is not correct and sell medicine that is not right for you or your condition
	won’t protect your personal information

Some medicines sold online

	Are fake (counterfeit or “copycat” medicines)
	Are too strong or too weak
	have dangerous ingredients
	have expired (are out-of-date)
	aren’t FDA-approved (haven't been checked for safety and effectiveness)
	aren’t made using safe standards
	aren’t safe to use with other medicine or products you use
	aren’t labeled, stored, or shipped correctly

Meet and Talk with your Doctor

	Talk with your doctor and have a physical exam before you get any new medicine for the first time.
	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.
	Ask your doctor if there are any special steps you need to take to fill your prescription.

Self Help Tips

	Know Your Source Make sure the website or medication source: 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).  has a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions 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
	Be Sure Your Privacy is Protected Look for privacy and security policies that are easy-to-find and easy-to-understand. 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.  Make sure that the site will not sell your information, unless you agree.
	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.  Buying your medicine online can be easy. Just make sure you do it safely. 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   For related information, go to Imported medicine www.fda.gov/importeddrugs  Counterfeit medicine www.fda.gov/counterfeit Generic drugs www.fda.gov/cder/ogd  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Food and Drug Administration  www.fda.gov  1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)