Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information

BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information

                        About BeSafeRx
          Considering an Online Pharmacy?
          Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy
          BeSafeRx: Resources for Consumers
          BeSafeRx: Resources for Health Professionals
          BeSafeRx: Resources for the Media
          BeSafeRx: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Home
          Drugs
          Resources | Drugs
          Information for Consumers and Patients | Drugs
          Buying & Using Medicine Safely
          Quick Tips for Buying Medicines Over the Internet
          BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information
          BeSafeRx: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information BeSafeRx: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintWoman Speaking with Pharmacist
1. What are the potential risks of purchasing from an online pharmacy?

Some websites appear to be pharmacies but sell medicines that can be dangerous, or even deadly. Consumers who buy medicine from an unsafe website may be putting their health at risk. The products sold, while being passed off as authentic, may contain the wrong ingredients, contain too little, too much, or no active ingredient at all, or contain other harmful ingredients. These medicines may have unexpected side effects or cause serious harm.

In addition to health risks, purchasing medicine online from unsafe websites may put your personal and financial information at risk. Some unsafe online pharmacies intentionally misuse the information you provide. These sites may infect your computer with viruses, and they may sell your personal information to other illegal websites and Internet scams.

2. Are online pharmacies safe?

At any given time, there are roughly 35,000 active online pharmacies, and according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, approximately five percent of those websites comply with U.S. pharmacy laws and practice standards.

While there are online pharmacies that operate legally and offer convenience, privacy and safeguards for purchasing medicines, there are many unsafe online pharmacies operating illegally. They sell medicines at deeply discounted prices, often without requiring a prescription or adhering to other safeguards followed by pharmacies licensed by a state in the United States. Unsafe online pharmacies are often run by criminal networks that knowingly and unlawfully sell potentially unsafe, ineffective or counterfeit drugs to consumers in the United States. These criminals frequently use sophisticated technologies and are backed by larger enterprises intent on profiting from illegal drugs at the expense of American patients. Consumers go to these websites believing they are buying safe and effective medications, but often they are being deceived and put at risk by individuals who put financial gain above patient safety.

3. What are some of the warning signs of an unsafe website that appears to be a pharmacy?

Beware of websites that:

Allow you to buy medicine without a prescription from your doctor
	Offer discounts or cheap prices that seem too good to be true
	Send unsolicited mail, email or other spam offering cheap medicine
	State that the medicine will be shipped from a foreign country
	Are located outside of the United States
	Are not licensed by a state board of pharmacy in the United States (or equivalent state health authority)4. What are some tips to identify safe online pharmacies?

Make sure that the online pharmacy:

Requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional
	Provides a physical address in the United States
	Is licensed by the state board of pharmacy in your state and the state where the pharmacy is operating
	Has a state-licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions5. Is it okay to buy prescription medicine online from other countries?

FDA does not have regulatory oversight of prescription medicine from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain; therefore, FDA cannot guarantee the safety or effectiveness of those medications. Medicines approved in other countries may have different ingredients that may not provide the help you need with your health condition or could result in a misdiagnosis by your doctor. You could experience harmful interactions with other medicines you are taking, unexpected side effects, or other serious health consequences. Additionally, many unsafe pharmacies use fake “storefronts” to make consumers think the medicine comes from countries with equivalent safety standards, but the medicines could have been made anywhere, with little to no regard for safety and effectiveness.

6. Is it obvious which online pharmacies are safe, and which are not?

No. It may be difficult to spot an unsafe online pharmacy. Many unsafe online pharmacies use fake “storefronts” to make you think they are licensed pharmacies. These unsafe sellers run online pharmacy scams to exploit American consumers by pretending to be safe pharmacies offering FDA-approved or equivalent to FDA-approved prescription medicines for sale. However, the products they provide may be fake, expired or otherwise unsafe.

7. Why are consumers turning to online pharmacies for their medicines?

The internet provides consumers with instant access to information and services, including online pharmacies for prescription medicines. Consumers may look for cost savings from online pharmacies to afford their medicines. In addition, many consumers value the convenience and privacy of purchasing their medicines online. Consumers who may be considering purchasing from online sources that are not associated with health insurance plans or local pharmacies need to know the potential risks of buying medicine online.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      09/21/2020
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Drugs
			  			     			  						              
			
			
			
			
						  Prescription DrugsTopic(s)
			  Public AwarenessBeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information

          
                        About BeSafeRx
          Considering an Online Pharmacy?
          Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy
          BeSafeRx: Resources for Consumers
          BeSafeRx: Resources for Health Professionals
          BeSafeRx: Resources for the Media
          BeSafeRx: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop