Is It Safe to Buy Prescriptions Online?
Is it safe to buy prescriptions online? The answer depends largely on which online pharmacy you use and whether it follows appropriate pharmacy and prescription requirements.
Online pharmacies can offer convenience by allowing customers to review pharmacy products, access medication information, communicate with pharmacy support, and use eligible delivery services. However, consumers should evaluate an online pharmacy carefully before purchasing prescription medications.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that some websites that appear to be online pharmacies may sell counterfeit, unapproved, or otherwise unsafe medicines. The FDA recommends checking important information about an online pharmacy before making a purchase.
How Can I Safely Buy Prescriptions Online?
The safest approach is to verify the online pharmacy before ordering.
Important things to check include:
- Whether the pharmacy is appropriately licensed
- Whether prescription requirements are clearly explained
- Whether prescription medications require a valid prescription
- Whether a licensed pharmacist is available
- Whether the pharmacy provides clear contact information
- Whether medication information is available
- Whether the pharmacy explains its ordering and delivery procedures
- Whether the website protects customer information
A professional-looking website does not, by itself, prove that an online pharmacy is legitimate.
Does an Online Pharmacy Need a Prescription?
Prescription requirements depend on the medication and applicable regulations.
Prescription-only medications should be dispensed according to applicable prescription requirements. A website that offers prescription medications while telling customers that they do not need a prescription should be treated as a warning sign.
The FDA specifically advises consumers to avoid online pharmacies that sell prescription medicine without requiring a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Do not provide false prescription information or attempt to bypass a pharmacy’s prescription requirements.
How Do I Know If an Online Pharmacy Is Legitimate?
There are several things you can check when evaluating an online pharmacy.
Look for clear information about:
- Pharmacy licensing
- Physical location
- Telephone contact information
- Prescription requirements
- Pharmacist availability
- Medication information
- Customer support
- Privacy and security
- Ordering procedures
- Delivery information
The FDA recommends that consumers verify whether an online pharmacy is appropriately licensed and provides a physical address and telephone number.
Check Pharmacy Licensing
Pharmacy licensing is an important part of evaluating an online pharmacy.
Licensing requirements can vary depending on the jurisdiction, so consumers should use official pharmacy regulatory resources when checking a pharmacy.
The FDA provides resources for locating state-licensed online pharmacies.
Do not rely solely on a pharmacy’s own statement that it is licensed. When possible, verify licensing through the appropriate official regulatory authority.
Is a Licensed Pharmacist Available?
Access to a licensed pharmacist is another important consideration.
A pharmacist can help answer appropriate questions about prescription medications, potential interactions, side effects, precautions, and medication use.
The FDA recommends choosing an online pharmacy that has a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.
If an online pharmacy provides no reasonable way to obtain professional pharmacy support, consider that carefully before using the service.
What Are Warning Signs of an Unsafe Online Pharmacy?
Some characteristics should make consumers cautious.
Potential warning signs include an online pharmacy that:
- Sells prescription medication without requiring an appropriate prescription
- Does not provide clear licensing information
- Does not provide a physical address
- Does not provide reliable contact information
- Does not provide access to a pharmacist
- Offers prices that appear unusually low
- Makes unrealistic medical claims
- Does not provide clear medication information
- Provides unclear information about where medications come from
- Encourages customers to ignore normal pharmacy requirements
The FDA identifies several of these characteristics as warning signs associated with potentially unsafe online pharmacies.
Be Careful With Extremely Low Prices
Saving money can be important when purchasing medications, but extremely low prices should not be the main reason for choosing an online pharmacy.
The FDA warns that unusually deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true can be warning signs.
Instead of evaluating an online pharmacy based only on price, consider its licensing, prescription process, pharmacist access, medication information, customer support, and overall safety practices.
What About Counterfeit Medications?
Counterfeit medications can look similar to legitimate products but may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect amounts of an active ingredient, harmful substances, or no active ingredient at all.
The FDA warns that unsafe online pharmacies may sell counterfeit or otherwise unsafe medicines.
This is why verifying an online pharmacy before ordering is important.
If you receive medication that appears unusual, damaged, incorrectly labeled, or different from what you expected, do not assume that it is safe to use. Contact a pharmacist or healthcare professional for appropriate guidance.
Check the Medication Before Using It
When receiving prescription medication, review the packaging and medication information.
Check that the:
- Medication name appears correct
- Strength matches what was prescribed
- Packaging appears intact
- Label contains appropriate information
- Medication looks consistent with what you normally receive
If something does not look right, contact your pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking the medication.
Protect Your Personal Information
Online pharmacy customers may provide personal, prescription, and payment information.
Before using an online pharmacy, review its privacy and security information.
Avoid providing unnecessary sensitive information through a website that you cannot verify.
You should also use appropriate caution with emails, text messages, or websites requesting payment or personal information in connection with a prescription order.
What Should an Online Pharmacy Tell You?
A reputable online pharmacy should provide clear information about its pharmacy services and ordering procedures.
Customers should be able to understand:
- How prescriptions are handled
- What prescription requirements apply
- How medications are processed
- How pharmacy support can be contacted
- What delivery options are available
- How medication information can be accessed
- How customers can ask questions
If important information is difficult to find or the pharmacy avoids answering basic questions, consider that a warning sign.
Can Prescription Medications Be Delivered?
Eligible prescription medications may be available through pharmacy delivery when the applicable prescription and pharmacy requirements have been satisfied.
Delivery services can provide convenience, but delivery should not replace appropriate prescription verification and pharmacy procedures.
Delivery timing can depend on product availability, prescription processing, location, weekends, holidays, and other fulfillment circumstances.
For more information, visit our Pharmacy Delivery & Order Support page.
Is It Safe to Use an Online Pharmacy for Refills?
Prescription refills should follow the applicable prescription and pharmacy requirements.
Before requesting a refill, make sure the prescription remains active and that the applicable refill requirements have been satisfied.
If no refills remain, additional authorization from your healthcare provider may be required.
Visit our Prescription Refills & Medication Management page for more information.
What Should I Do Before Ordering?
Before ordering prescription medications online, take a few minutes to evaluate the pharmacy.
Step 1: Verify the Pharmacy
Check available licensing information through an appropriate official regulatory authority.
Step 2: Review Prescription Requirements
Make sure the pharmacy clearly explains what is required for prescription medications.
Step 3: Check Contact Information
Look for a physical address, telephone number, and other appropriate contact information.
Step 4: Check Pharmacist Availability
Determine whether you can obtain appropriate support from a licensed pharmacist.
Step 5: Review Medication Information
Look for clear information about the medications and pharmacy products being offered.
Step 6: Understand Delivery
Review how orders are processed and how eligible medications or products are delivered.
Step 7: Ask Questions
If anything is unclear, contact the pharmacy before proceeding.
What Should I Do If I Am Unsure About an Online Pharmacy?
If you are unsure whether an online pharmacy is safe, do not rush into placing an order.
Check the pharmacy’s licensing information and prescription requirements. You can also consult official pharmacy regulatory resources and FDA guidance.
If you cannot verify the pharmacy or its procedures, consider using a pharmacy that you can properly verify.
How Maxson Pharmacy Supports Pharmacy Information
Maxson Pharmacy provides resources covering online pharmacy safety, prescription medications, medication information, pharmacy services, prescription refills, pharmacy delivery, and pharmacy support.
You can explore:
Online Pharmacy Safety Guide
Learn more about important considerations when evaluating an online pharmacy.
What to Look for in an Online Pharmacy
Review practical factors to consider when evaluating an online pharmacy.
Medication Information Center
Explore educational information about medications, safety considerations, precautions, and related topics.
Prescription Refills & Medication Management
Learn about prescription refills, medication management, and applicable refill requirements.
Pharmacy Delivery & Order Support
Learn about pharmacy delivery, order information, delivery support, and pharmacy services.
Contact Maxson Pharmacy
Contact Maxson Pharmacy with questions about pharmacy services, orders, prescription requirements, products, or available support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy prescriptions online?
It can be safe when you use an appropriately licensed online pharmacy that follows applicable prescription requirements and provides appropriate pharmacist support. Consumers should verify an online pharmacy before ordering.
How can I tell if an online pharmacy is legitimate?
Check its licensing through an appropriate official regulatory authority and look for clear prescription requirements, contact information, pharmacist availability, and pharmacy procedures.
Should an online pharmacy require a prescription?
Prescription-only medications should be handled according to applicable prescription requirements. An online pharmacy that sells prescription medicine without requiring an appropriate prescription is a warning sign.
What are signs of an unsafe online pharmacy?
Warning signs can include selling prescription medication without requiring a prescription, unclear licensing, no physical address, no pharmacist access, unrealistic claims, and unusually low prices.
Can I buy prescription medication online and have it delivered?
Eligible prescription medications may be available for delivery when applicable prescription and pharmacy requirements have been satisfied. Delivery options and requirements can vary.
How do I verify an online pharmacy?
Use official pharmacy regulatory resources to verify licensing and review FDA guidance about safely purchasing medicine online.
Should I choose an online pharmacy based on price?
No. Price should not be the only consideration. Licensing, prescription requirements, pharmacist access, medication safety, customer support, and pharmacy procedures are also important.
Can an online pharmacy answer medication questions?
An appropriate online pharmacy should provide access to pharmacy support, including access to a licensed pharmacist where applicable.
What should I do if medication received from an online pharmacy looks unusual?
Do not assume that unusual medication or packaging is safe. Contact a pharmacist or healthcare professional for guidance before using it.
Where can I learn more about online pharmacy safety?
You can review the Maxson Pharmacy Online Pharmacy Safety Guide and consult FDA resources about safely purchasing medicines online.
Final Thoughts
Buying prescriptions online can be convenient, but safety should come before convenience.
Before using an online pharmacy, verify its licensing, understand its prescription requirements, confirm that appropriate pharmacist support is available, review its contact information, and learn how its ordering and delivery procedures work.
If an online pharmacy asks you to ignore prescription requirements, makes unrealistic claims, or cannot provide clear information about its operation, consider that a warning sign.
Taking a few minutes to verify an online pharmacy can help you make a more informed decision about where you obtain prescription medications.