Both companies recruited physicians to review drug orders placed by customers over the Internet . There was no physical examination , no preexisting doctor / patient relationship , and rarely any communication of any kind between the physicians and the Internet customers . In the vast majority of circumstances , the Internet customer 's identity was never verified , nor were any medical records submitted . Because it is illegal to provide prescription drugs outside the usual course of professional practice , Pharmacom and MWS became the primary targets of a Northern District of Iowa investigation .