Safe USe

Online RX

Buying prescription medicine online is illegal if: 

  • You don’t have a prescription for the medicine you purchase 
  • You fill out a questionnaire instead of getting physically examined by a doctor

IMPORTANT FACTS

  • 97% of websites selling prescription drugs are operating illegally.

  • As of October 2014 an estimated 36 million Americans had purchased medicine online without a prescription.

  • 40,000 to 60,000 Websites are illegally selling prescription drugs.

CYBER DOCTORS

To obtain a valid prescription, a doctor must physically examine the patient. Prescriptions written by “cyber doctors” that rely on online questionnaires to treat a patient’s condition are not legal.

Be careful if you order medicine online. Here’s how:

TRUSTWORTHY SITES

  • Are located in the U.S.

  • Are licensed by the state board of pharmacy   where the website operates (Go to the  National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to verify your site, or look for the National  Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s Verified  Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal)

  • Have a licensed pharmacist available to  answer your questions

  • Require a prescription for prescription medicines from your doctor/licensed  prescriber

  • Provide contact information, such  as a 24-hour phone line, and someone  to answer questions

UNSAFE SITES

  • Send you drugs with unknown quality  or origin

  • Give you the wrong drug or another dangerous product for your illness

  • Do not provide contact information

  • Offer prices that are drastically lower than   the competition – if the deal seems too  good to be true, it’s probably a scam

  • Offer to sell you drugs without a  prescription – that’s against the law

  • Do not protect your personal information

  • The “Aware Rx” website lists hundreds of   “Not Recommended Sites.” See if the online  pharmacy you’re considering is on the list.

SOURCES