Check for verification seals from organizations like LegitScript or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). These seals indicate the pharmacy has met certain standards.
Verify the pharmacy’s physical address. A legitimate pharmacy will list a street address, not just a PO box. Use Google Maps to confirm the address exists.
Examine the pharmacy’s contact information. Look for a phone number and email address. Try calling them – a real person should answer.
Scrutinize the website for professional design and clear information about licensing and accreditation. Avoid sites with grammatical errors or suspicious visuals.
Read customer reviews on independent review sites, such as Trustpilot. Consider both positive and negative feedback to gain a balanced perspective.
Confirm the pharmacy’s privacy policy clearly outlines how your personal and health information will be protected. A lack of this policy is a major red flag.
Ensure the website uses secure encryption (HTTPS) indicated by a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. This safeguards your personal data during transactions.
Be wary of pharmacies offering unbelievably low prices or promising extremely fast delivery. These are often signs of illicit operations.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before ordering medications online. They can help you determine the legitimacy of a specific online pharmacy and advise on safe medication practices.
Report suspicious online pharmacies to the appropriate authorities. Your actions can help protect others from fraudulent practices.
