Med Safety Online

1. Does the site require a paid membership? Fraudulent web sites often require you to pay a monthly fee by promising you a product discount for joining. Legitimate online pharmacies do not need to charge you a membership fee.

2. Does the site say they offer automatic refills? Online pharmacies usually review the prescription after every refills so automatic refills are not an option.  Do not order from a site that says it keeps your credit card on file to send automatic refills.

3. Do they ship everywhere? Each state has its own regulations that govern the shipping of prescription medications and many states prohibit prescription medication from being sent by mail or other courier without a face-to-face doctor visit. If a site claims to ship to all 50 states or to ship internationally, stay away!

4. Do they state the delivery driver will leave the package at your door? An adult 18 years or older MUST BE present to sign for the package when your order arrives. Because of the medical nature of the merchandise inside, no carrier will simply leave it without a signature. However, you can often have your package shipped to a “mail-boxes” type facility where an adult is present to sign for shipments.

5. Do they have extended or delayed shipping times? You’ll be tipped off to the fact that you’re not dealing with a U.S.-based company if the site mentions that your shipment will pass through customs or require more than 14 days to deliver. Because federal law restricts the re-importation of prescription medications across U.S. borders, you run the risk of your order being intercepted by officials with no recourse.

6. Have you received phone calls from the actual pharmacy or pharmacist? Generally speaking, you will not receive a phone call directly from the pharmacy unless there is a question concerning an existing order and that is rare.  Keep in mind, dispensing pharmacies themselves simply DO NOT telemarket. However, there are legitimate web sites whose affiliates may take your order by phone. The key is that they not represent themselves as an actual “pharmacy” and that you are familiar with anyone who asks for payment or other information by phone.

7. Have you been promised additional or “free” medications with your order? You must have an actual prescription issued for each and every item you order whether that prescription is issued electronically or in person by your own doctor. If a web site or individual suggests that they will ship you additional medicines or narcotics as a bonus to your order, don’t do it. Fraudulent sources may try to persuade you to pay an inflated price for one product by promising to include additional pills “on the side”.  Again, steer clear of this at all costs.