Check for a valid license and registration. Look for a physical address and contact information – avoid pharmacies with only PO boxes. A legitimate pharmacy will readily display this information.
Verify their accreditation. Legitimate online pharmacies often display accreditation seals from organizations like the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Click on these seals; they should link to verification pages.
Scrutinize their security practices. Look for secure HTTPS connections (indicated by “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the browser address bar). This protects your personal and financial information.
Review their customer testimonials and ratings. Independent reviews on sites like Trustpilot can provide valuable insights. However, remember to critically assess reviews – extremely positive or negative reviews might be fake.
Confirm their pharmacist consultation process. Reputable online pharmacies require a consultation with a licensed pharmacist before dispensing medications. This step is crucial for verifying your prescription and ensuring the medication’s suitability.
Compare prices cautiously. Extremely low prices are often a red flag, suggesting counterfeit or substandard medications. A slightly higher price usually indicates better quality and safety.
Read their privacy policy and terms of service. These documents should clearly outline how they handle your personal information and medication orders. Transparency is key.
Contact them directly. Try contacting the pharmacy via phone or email to ask questions about their services. A prompt and helpful response shows good customer service.
Report suspicious websites. If you encounter a website that you suspect is illegitimate, report it to the relevant authorities, such as your country’s health regulatory agency or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US.
