Always check a pharmacy’s license and credentials before ordering medication. This safeguards your health and protects you from fraudulent operations.
State Licensing Boards
First, locate your state’s board of pharmacy website. These boards maintain public databases of licensed pharmacies. Simply search online for “[Your State] Board of Pharmacy.” The website usually provides a search function allowing you to verify a pharmacy’s license number or name.
- Confirm the pharmacy’s address matches the one used online. Check the license status; it should be active and current. Look for any disciplinary actions or violations listed.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
The NABP provides a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) accreditation program. VIPPS-accredited online pharmacies meet stringent standards for patient safety and security. Look for the VIPPS seal on their website. This is a strong indicator of legitimacy.
Other Verification Steps
Contact the Pharmacy Directly: Call the pharmacy’s customer service line. Ask questions regarding their license and verify the contact information you found online. Inspect the Website Carefully: A legitimate pharmacy will have clear contact information, a physical address, and a privacy policy. Be wary of websites with poor grammar, vague contact information, or missing details. Review Online Reviews and Testimonials (with caution): While not a definitive verification method, a pattern of negative reviews could signal problems. Treat these reviews skeptically and consider them in conjunction with other verification steps.
Red Flags
Avoid pharmacies that: request payment via untraceable methods (like wire transfers), offer suspiciously low prices, or pressure you into purchasing immediately. These are often indicators of illegal operations.
