The Online Pharmacy Facts
Today in the United States, Consumers are replacing a trip to the corner drugstore with a click on the Internet, where they can find hundreds of Web sites selling prescription drugs.
Many of these are legitimate companies that genuinely offer convenience, privacy, and the safeguards of traditional procedures for prescribing drugs. Furthermore, while some are familiar large drugstore chains, many of these legitimate businesses are local “mom and pop” pharmacies, set up to serve their customers electronically.
You should be suspicious of fraudulent online sites who use the Internet as an outlet for products or practices that are already illegal in the offline world. These sites either sell unapproved products, or if they deal in approved ones, often sidestep established procedures meant to protect consumers. For example, some sites require customers only to fill out a questionnaire before ordering prescription drugs, bypassing any face-to-face interaction with a health professional.
What To Look For
The reasons above are why all consumers must educate themselves. Everyone should learn about what to look for in online drugstores, and the key signs that one may be operating illegally. Fortunately there are ways to protect you and your family from these unscrupulous and illegal entities.
Here are the key things to keep an eye out for that should help you to determine whether or not the online pharmacy you are considering is legal and safe:
- Do they have U.S.-licensed physicians that write the prescriptions, or do they require you to submit one? Either option is permissible.
- Do they have U.S. licensed pharmacists that dispense the drugs?
- Do they require a medical history form to be filled out prior to prescribing medication?
- Are they a U.S-based company, and do they provide a U.S. mailing address on their site?
- Do they have real people you can talk to via live web-chat or toll-free telephone?
- Does their website provide SSL encryption on all financial transactions?
- Have they been in business for a substantial length of time?
- Do they offer only brand-name, FDA-approved drugs?
You must log in to post a comment.