Nowadays it seems like we can buy everything online: clothes, groceries, books, furniture. What about medicine?
While the convenience of buying medicine online can be tempting and there are legitimate sources out there, you have to be careful to make sure you aren’t getting scammed for your personal financial information or putting yourself and your family in danger with counterfeit or substandard drugs.
The risks of buying medication online:
- The medications may be fake with no active ingredients
- Incorrect dosages
- Dangerous ingredients
- Out-of-date or expired medications
- No guarantee of complying with standards
- Medications labeled, stored or shipped incorrectly
The first thing to check before ordering medicine online is whether the pharmacy is licensed.
In the U.S., this is through your state board of pharmacy (or equivalent state agency). The FDA maintains a database of these boards which you can consult: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/besaferx-your-source-online-pharmacy-information/know-your-online-pharmacy
In Canada, pharmacies are regulated by the provinces, and licensed pharmacies must meet the standards of practices within that province.
Here are other things you should check for:
- The online pharmacy requires a valid prescription
- There is a physical address and telephone number in your country
- A licensed pharmacist is available to answer questions
In addition to missing any of the requirements above, here are some other red flags that should make you reconsider before ordering from an online pharmacy:
- Deep discounts with prices that seem too good to be true
- The website sends unsolicited spam emails offering cheap drugs·
If you have complaints or concerns about a site, you can report it to the FDA.
References/For more information:
In the U.S.
BBB Scam Tracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
FDA: Know Your Online Pharmacy: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/besaferx-your-source-online-pharmacy-information/know-your-online-pharmacy
FDA’s BeSafeRx: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/quick-tips-buying-medicines-over-internet/besaferx-your-source-online-pharmacy-information
FDA: The Possible Dangers of Buying Medicines over the Internet: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-buy-medicines-safely-online-pharmacy
More FDA resources for Buying Medicines Over the Internet: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/quick-tips-buying-medicines-over-internet
In Canada
BBB Scam Tracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions: https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/swppws/default.html
Competition Bureau: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_00122.html
Canadian Pharmacists Association: https://www.pharmacists.ca/
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/buying-drugs-over-internet.html
Government of Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
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