Recognizing Illegal Online Pharmacies
The presence of online pharmacies and the ability to purchase medications online have been increasing since before the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Amazon Pharmacy launched in November of 2020 to provide offer home delivery of prescription medications.
Ordering prescription medications online can be very convenient for individuals, particularly if they have a hard time getting to the pharmacy due to transportation or other limitations. However, it is important to be able to recognize that not all online pharmacies are safe or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In September of 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that illegal online pharmacies include websites and organizations who are advertising, selling, manufacturing, and shipping unregulated and/or counterfeit prescription pills to individuals across the United States.
Because these illegal pharmacies are unregulated, the medications that they sell may not be the actual prescription medications they have been advertised as. Medications from these sites may cause adverse reactions and contain illicit substances, including fentanyl, that may lead to overdose and death.
How to Spot Fake Online Pharmacies and Safe Online Pharmacies:
Identifying fake online pharmacies can be difficult, but there are some clues to help tell if the website - and the medication you're getting - might be illegal, unregulated, and unsafe.
Safe Signs of Online Pharmacies:
-
REMEMBER THE BASICS: A prescription medication will ALWAYS require a prescription.
- If the online pharmacy does not require a doctor's prescription and offers medications for very low prices, the site may be illegal, and the medication may not be safe.
- Legal pharmacies in the United States can provide a physical address and telephone number in the United States.
-
There will be a licensed pharmacist on staff available to answer your questions. - All legal pharmacies will be licensed with a state board of pharmacy. In Connecticut, you can look up licensed pharmacies here, by selecting "Pharmacy" under the License Type section.
- Legal online pharmacies should also have the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal and/or a "Digital Pharmacy" accreditation approval from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
Warning Signs of Online Pharmacies - How to Spot the Fake Online Pharmacy:
- Online pharmacists that do NOT require a doctor's prescription for prescription-only medication is likely unsafe and potentially harmful.
- Sites that are unlicensed in the United States by the CT state board of pharmacy.
- There is no licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions
- If there are significant discounts or "sales" on the medication. If the prices seem too good to be true, the medication might be unsafe.
- Keep in Mind: The cost of your prescription may change based on your insurance status, whether or not you've met your deductible, and if there are coupons available for your medication. If you have concerns about the price of your medication, talk to your medical provider or a licensed pharmacist about your options.
- Illegal pharmacies may charge you for products that you never ordered or haven't received.
- Illegal pharmacies may not provide clear written protections of your personal and financial information; these sites may sell your information to other websites and companies.
- If you do order medication from a site that you suspect may be fake, make sure that:
- The medication matches what you have seen in the past/the description from your doctor.
- The packaging is not damaged or broken
- Any writing/instructions for the medication are available in a language that you understand. Many real medications come with instructions that are available in English as well as other languages.
- Make sure that the medication has a listed expiration date, and that the medication is not expired.
If you are concerned that you ordered medication from an illegal, fake online pharmacy, DO NOT TAKE THE MEDICATION. Talk to your medical provider and dispose of them immediately. You can order a FREE medication disposal pouch from DrugFreeCT here.
In case of an overdose emergency, call 911 immediately and always have naloxone (NARCAN), the opioid reversal drug, on hand. It is available for free in Connecticut. Learn more here. Never use unidentified medications or other drugs alone.
In case of a poisoning emergency, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. If you have questions about an unknown substance prior to ingesting it, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Sources