Verify the Pharmacy’s License: Check for a valid license number prominently displayed on the website. Confirm this number with your state’s board of pharmacy or a similar regulatory body.
Look for Secure Connections: Ensure the website uses HTTPS (the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar) indicating encrypted data transmission.
Check for a Physical Address and Contact Information: Legitimate pharmacies will provide a verifiable physical address and multiple contact methods, including phone, email, and fax.
Examine the Pharmacy’s Privacy Policy: Read their privacy policy to understand how they protect your personal and health information. A robust policy should clearly outline data handling practices.
Review their Customer Reviews: Look for independent, unbiased reviews from multiple sources. Be wary of websites with overwhelmingly positive reviews – a mixture of positive and negative reviews is more believable.
Scrutinize their Ordering Process: Be cautious of sites offering medications without a prescription or requiring minimal information. A legitimate pharmacy will likely require a valid prescription.
Confirm the Pharmacy’s Accreditation: Look for accreditation from reputable organizations like the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program, which ensures adherence to quality standards.
Understand their Return Policy: A clear and accessible return policy shows transparency and commitment to customer satisfaction. Review the terms carefully.
Don’t rely solely on price: Extremely low prices often indicate counterfeit medications. Prices should be reasonable and comparable to those at traditional pharmacies.
Use caution and always consult your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing medications online. This checklist provides guidance, not a guarantee of legitimacy.
