Talk with your doctor and have a physical exam before you get any new medicine for the first time. Use only medicine that has been prescribed by your doctor or another trusted professional who is licensed in the U.S. to write prescriptions for medicine, and ask your doctor if there are any special steps you need to take to fill your prescription.
Make sure the Web site is a state-licensed pharmacy that is located in the United States. Your state board of pharmacy can tell you if the Web site is a state-licensed pharmacy, is in good standing, and is located in the United States. Find a list of state boards of pharmacy on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Web site.
Ensure that your privacy is protected. Look for privacy and security policies that are easy-to-find and easy-to-understand. Don’t give any personal information (such as your social-security or credit card number, or medical or health history), unless you are sure the Web site will keep your information safe and private. Make sure that the Web site will not sell your information, unless you agree
Look for Web sites that protect yourself and others. A safe Web site should have a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions, require a prescription from your doctor or health-care professional who is licensed in the United States to write prescriptions for medicine, and provide a way for you to talk to a person if you have problems.
Some Web sites that sell medicine:
are not U.S. state-licensed pharmacies or are not pharmacies at all
may give a diagnosis that is not correct and sell medicine that is not right for you or your condition
will not protect your personal information
Some medicines sold online:
are fake (counterfeit or “copycat” medicines)
are too strong or too weak
have dangerous ingredients
have expired (are out-of-date)
are not FDA-approved (have not been checked for safety and effectiveness)
are not made using safe standards
are not safe to use with other medicine or products you use
are not labeled, stored, or shipped correctly
Adapted in part from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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