There are several things to consider before purchasing your prescription medication from an online pharmacy. It is important to verify the legitimacy of an online pharmacy by looking for the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site) symbol and certification. This certification tells you the following: The pharmacy is located here in the U.S.; they dispense only FDA-approved medications; and a valid prescription is required. Without the VIPPS symbol there is great potential for you to receive counterfeit medication, substandard drug product or a generic form of a drug that is not approved here in the U.S.
Other red flags a website is unsafe include: lack of a phone number to contact the pharmacy; advertising drastically lower prices than traditional pharmacies; offers to sell the medication to you without a prescription (which is against the law); and requests for personal information such as a Social Security number without a secure connection. The best resource is to obtain prescriptions from a trusted pharmacist at your local pharmacy. If you need the convenience of an online pharmacy, stick with well-known websites of local pharmacies or inquire about home delivery options at your favorite brick-and-mortar pharmacy. – Missy Wilson, Clinical Pharmacist