How to Determine Patient Safety With Online Pharmacies

The Internet has made purchasing prescription medications over the web easy and convenient. Many online pharmacies, though, are not safe sources for medications and may be harmful. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has developed criteria to help ensure patient safety and education.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet connection

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Instructions

Safe and Legal Pharmacy Practices

• 1

  Make sure the pharmacy you are dealing with requires a prescription. Many online pharmacies do not, which is illegal. Most prescription drugs require a valid prescription signed by a physician, according to NABP.

• 2

  Be cautious of online pharmacies that will dispense medication by merely having the patient fill out a questionnaire. Many state boards of pharmacy and NABP say this is illegal and unsafe.

• 3

  NABP states you should avoid pharmacies that only want to communicate by email. Online pharmacies should have a toll-free number and address listed on the pharmacy's website.

• 4

  Use caution with pharmacies that do not offer pharmacist consultations. You might have questions or concerns about your medication. Consultations can be by phone or secure computer communication, according to NABP.

• 5

  Be wary of a pharmacy that requires you to sign a waiver. NABP cautions that legitimate pharmacies will not ask you to sign wavers to get your medication.

More Safe Pharmacy Practices

• 6

  Be careful of pharmacies that only offer a few types of medications. Online pharmacies that offer limited types of medications, such as for acne, pain or obesity. This can be a warning sign that a pharmacy is unscrupulous, according to NABP.

• 7

  Take care when considering the purchase of medications from foreign websites. Medications purchased from these sites are not approved for use in the United States and have not been tested for purity and quality.

• 8

  NABP advises you to stay away from pharmacies that solicit customers via email. Pharmacies that operate by sending out spam are often illegal and untrustworthy.