Buying Drugs Online (Internet)
PDF Version
Spanish Version
Shopping over the Internet is
private and easy. Online drug stores
let you shop for medicine from
your computer. There can also be
problems with shopping online.
Make sure you know the facts
before you buy.
What are some good points of
buying drugs online?
- It’s easier to get products. This is
helpful for people who can’t leave
their homes or live far from a drug
store.
- You can check many different
sites to check out products and
prices.
- You can ask a pharmacist
questions in private.
What are some dangers of buying
drugs online?
Some websites:
- May not know the cause of your
health problem. They could also
give you the wrong medicine for
your illness.
- Will sell you prescription
drugs even if you don’t have a
prescription. This is against the
law.
- Don’t protect your private
information, like your credit card
number.
Some medicines sold online:
- Are fake
- Have things in them that could
hurt you
- Are too strong or too weak
- Are too old to work
- Aren’t approved by the FDA
- Aren’t made using safe standards
- Aren’t safe to use with other
medicines or products you use
- Aren’t labeled
- Aren’t stored or shipped the
right way
What role does the FDA play in
Internet drug sales?
How can I buy online safely?
- There is a program that makes
sure online drug stores are legal
and honest. It is called the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site). Websites can
choose to apply to use the VIPPS
seal. Before using a website, check
for the VIPPS seal.
- Check out websites with the
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy before buying.
- Don’t buy from sites that sell:
- Prescription drugs even if you
don’t have a prescription.
- Products that are not approved
by FDA.
- Use sites that have a pharmacist
to answer your questions online.
Only buy from sites based in the
U.S. It’s against the law to buy
prescription drugs from other
countries. It could also be unsafe.
- Go to your doctor or clinic before
using any medicine for the first
time.
To Learn More:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
www.fda.gov
To report problems:
Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
FDA Office of Women’s Health
www.fda.gov/womens
2007