Can you buy rx drugs online

The online pharmacy isn't licensed. In Canada and the U. The online pharmacy doesn't have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions. The website isn't "secure. Secure websites use special tools to "encrypt" your information.

They turn it into a code that other people can't read. You can tell that a website is secure if the URL the Web address begins with "https" rather than just "http. Related Information Reducing Medication Costs.

Food and Drug Administration Buying prescription medicine online: A consumer safety guide. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed October 17, World Health Organization Medicines should not be seen as regular consumer products. Fake medicine can cause real harm to your health. Do not be tempted by "spam" emails advertising cheap medicine. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is. Check for the internet pharmacy logo when buying medicine online, or check the GPhC register.

You can also check the registration status of the pharmacist by looking for the name and address of the pharmacy operating the website, as it should be connected to a "bricks and mortar" pharmacy.

Medicine sold from disreputable websites can be poor quality at best and dangerous at worst. What you receive in the post could be counterfeit, substandard or unapproved new medicine, which can put your safety at risk.

New to using the internet? By continuing to browse this site you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more at the Privacy Policy page. Home Tracking Services. If you choose the right pharmacy, then, yes, it can be safe.

You'll want to avoid the hundreds maybe thousands of rogue websites that claim to be online pharmacies, but really just want your money. Many online pharmacies may also be unregistered. Getting medication from them could be dangerous and costly because the medication might be fake, diluted, or out-of-date.

If you understand the reasons why most online pharmacies are not safe or legal, then you'll better understand how to make a wise choice. A real pharmacy will always need to know your prescription. There's a difference between using the Internet to purchase from a retail pharmacy and purchasing from a pharmacy that only has an Internet presence.

Local drug stores have websites; you may be able to use one to fill or renew a prescription. Unless you have questions about your local pharmacy's reputation, there should be no problem purchasing drugs from their websites. Just be sure you use the correct web address to access their prescription capabilities.

There could be a fake website set up to mimic a real retail pharmacy. There are also network and mail-order pharmacies that work with health insurance companies to manage larger drug orders and keep pricing down for insurers. Purchasing from them, through your insurer, is as safe as using your local pharmacy.

These pharmacies can work very well if it's difficult for you to get to your local pharmacy. They're also great if you like the convenience of renewing online or if you like to order many months' worth of a drug you take on a regular basis. Some pharmacies, however, don't have actual locations where you can walk in and hand over your prescription and your money to make a purchase. They are found only online; not all of them are registered pharmacies and sell drugs legally, so buying from them is potentially unsafe.