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
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
Spotlight
Page Last Updated: 11/12/2013
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