FDA: Buying Medicines Over the Internet

Buying Medicines Over the Internet

Quick Tips for Buying Online

• Make sure the site requires a prescription and has a pharmacist available for questions.
• Buy only from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy has more information about finding safe and legal online pharmacies.
• Don't provide personal information such as credit card numbers unless you are sure the site will protect them.

Enforcement

• Warning Letters to Online Sellers (Cyber Letters)
   

 

General

• BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy
• Educational Resources: Buying Medicine and Medical Products Over the Internet
• FDA takes action to protect consumers from dangerous medicines sold by illegal online pharmacies 
  FDA news release (6/27/2013)
• FDA takes action against thousands of illegal Internet pharmacies 
  FDA news release (10/4/2012)
• Beware of Online Cancer Fraud 
  FDA Consumer Update
• How to Evaluate Health Information on the Internet

Drugs

• Buying Medicines Online FAQs
• The Possible Dangers of Buying Medicines over the Internet
• FDA Warns About Fraudulent Tamiflu [ARCHIVED]
• FDA Warns Individuals and Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer 'Cures' [ARCHIVED] 
  FDA news release (6/18/2008)
• FDA Warns Companies Importing and Marketing Drugs Over the Internet that Fraudulently Claim to Prevent and Treat STDs [ARCHIVED]
• FDA Says Consumers Continue to Buy Risky Drugs Online [ARCHIVED]
• FDA Alerts Consumers to Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Purchased Over the Internet [ARCHIVED]
• Hidden Risks of Erectile Dysfunction "Treatments" Sold Online
• FDA Consumer Safety Alert: Don't buy these drugs over the Internet or from foreign sources
• FDA Warns of Unapproved and Illegal H1N1 Drug Products Purchased Over the Internet [ARCHIVED]

Other Products

• Buying Medical Devices and Diagnostic Tests Online [ARCHIVED]
• Consumer Safety Alert: Internet Sales of Laser Products
• Online Pet Pharmacies
• Purchasing Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware

Other Resources

• State Pharmacy Boards
• Federal Trade Commission
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Spotlight

• BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy
• Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide

Report Problem Sites

• Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
• Reporte de ventas ilegales de productos medicos a traves del Internet
• Report Suspected Fraudulent Products or Criminal Activity Associated with H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu)

Page Last Updated: 11/12/2013 
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