Dispelling myths about online pharmacies

There are several common misconceptions about online pharmacies. Compared to their traditional counterparts, people often worry that these websites may be illegal, unsafe, provide low quality products, or cause delays in getting medication.

While it is essential to research any pharmacy website thoroughly, many are safe, legitimate, and legal and can offer you convenience and privacy.

Myth 1: All online pharmacies are illegal

Many online pharmacies are legitimate businesses whose operations are consistent with state and federal laws. The practice of selling pharmaceuticals online is not itself illegal. However, online pharmacies have to follow specific state and federal regulations. If they don’t, that practice might be illegal.   

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly issues warning letters to online pharmacies that might be operating illegally, which means they might violate the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

Among the violations that the FDA cites are:

• Not requiring a prescription before offering prescription drugs.
• Offering unapproved prescription drugs that could have unknown safety and effectiveness profiles. They could also have ingredients of unknown origin.
• Not providing directions for using the drug safely.
• Offering prescription drugs without FDA-required health and safety warnings.

Online pharmacies also have to follow state laws. They should be licensed with your state’s board of pharmacy if they will fill your prescription.

Many online pharmacies meet federal and state laws and do not operate illegally.

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Myth 2: All online pharmacies are unsafe

Legitimate pharmacies can offer the same safe prescription drugs as brick-and-mortar pharmacies. You can look for the warning signs of an unsafe pharmacy by inspecting the medication when it arrives. The drugs should:

• look the same as the medication you buy in person
• have an expiry date
• have secure packaging with an unbroken seal, no damage, or signs of tampering
• have instructions in English

Unsafe pharmacies might send:

• the wrong medication
• a drug with no active ingredient
• a drug with the wrong amount of the active ingredient
• a product with harmful ingredients

However, remember that many safe online pharmacies exist. They send the same pharmaceuticals as what you might buy from your local licensed pharmacy.

Myth 3: All online pharmacies are low quality

Online pharmacies can offer the same range of services you expect from an in-person pharmacy. The FDA also says that online pharmacies should have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions, even if you are buying through a website.

When working with a reputable and legal online pharmacy, you can also expect your drugs to be handled safely and packaged with care and attention. 

Myth 4: All online pharmacies have a long delivery time

Delivery times vary between online pharmacies, but many will give you the option of express or even same-day delivery. If you are ordering through the website of your local brick-and-mortar pharmacy, you might have the option to collect your prescription in-store instead of waiting for home delivery.

You should typically receive an estimated delivery date when you order with an online pharmacy.

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What to keep in mind when using an online pharmacy 

Before trusting any online pharmacy, it’s important to do some careful research and verification. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help you do this. 

• State board of pharmacy: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has a list of the boards of pharmacy in each state. The state board should include a list of all pharmacies and pharmacists licensed in the state.
• NABP’s “Buy Safely” database: This tool allows you to enter a website address to check whether it comes under the Safe Pharmacy program.
• FDA warning letter list: This list lets you know which online sites have received a warning from the FDA. However, it is not an exhaustive list of all websites that might violate federal law. 

Other steps you can take to make sure an online pharmacy is credible include:

• Confirming the site has a physical U.S. address and telephone number: If the address is a P.O. box or the telephone number has an international area code, it might not be a safe online pharmacy.
• Confirming the site has a licensed pharmacist: The pharmacist should be available to answer questions about your prescription. There must be more than an information sheet or online FAQs about a medication.
• Confirming the site always requires a prescription: The same prescription rules apply for online and brick-and-mortar pharmacies. Make sure the site asks for your prescription before dispensing medication.
• Confirming the site protects your information: Any legitimate site should protect your personal, financial, and health-related information. Look for a privacy policy on the site that covers these issues.

If you encounter a website that you believe might be selling prescription drugs illegally, you can file a report with the FDA. 

Summary

Online pharmacies can offer you convenience, privacy, and safety.

It is important to do some research to ensure your online pharmacy is licensed, safe, and legal. The NABP and the FDA have resources to help.

You can also take some other steps to check an online pharmacy is safe, like confirming the site has a physical U.S. address and telephone number and that it asks for your prescription before dispensing medication.

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