You can order prescription medicine online from a licensed pharmacy and have it delivered to your home. It saves a trip to the pharmacy, but not every website that sells medicine is safe. Some sites sell fake or unsafe medicine. This guide explains how to tell a safe online pharmacy from a fake one, and how to save money on your prescription.
How to Tell If an Online Pharmacy Is Safe
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should buy medicines only from a pharmacy that is licensed in your state. The FDA runs a campaign called BeSafeRx to help people spot safe online pharmacies. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) accredits online pharmacies through its Digital Pharmacy Accreditation program, formerly known as VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). A safe online pharmacy shows NABP Digital Pharmacy Accreditation or uses a .pharmacy web address. It asks for a valid prescription from your doctor. It has a licensed pharmacist you can contact with questions. It gives a real street address and phone number in the United States.
Red Flags of a Fake Online Pharmacy
According to the FDA, these are warning signs of a fake or unsafe online pharmacy.
- It sells prescription medicine without asking for a prescription.
- It is not licensed in the United States or by your state board of pharmacy, or it gives no physical address in the United States.
- It has no licensed pharmacist to answer your questions.
- Its prices are far lower than all other pharmacies.
- It sends medicine that looks different from what you get at your usual pharmacy, or arrives in packaging that is broken or damaged, in a foreign language, or with no expiry date.
- It charges you for products you never ordered or received.
If you see these signs, do not order. Report the site to the FDA. A fake pharmacy may send medicine with too much or too little of the active ingredient, or with the wrong ingredients or harmful substances.
Ways to Save Money on Prescription Medicine
- Ask about generics: According to the FDA, a generic drug has the same active ingredient, strength, and form as the brand-name drug. Generics often cost much less.
- Ask about a 90-day supply: A 90-day supply from a mail-order pharmacy may be a cost-effective way to get drugs you take regularly. Ask your doctor and your insurer if this fits your case.
- Compare prices: Prices for the same drug can differ a lot between pharmacies. Check prices at several licensed pharmacies, online and local.
- Check patient help programs: Some drug makers offer patient assistance programs to help pay for prescriptions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about them.
- Check your insurance list: Your plan has a list of covered drugs, called a formulary. Drugs on the list cost less. Ask your doctor if a covered drug fits your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if an online pharmacy is safe?
Check that the pharmacy is licensed in your state. Look for NABP Digital Pharmacy Accreditation (formerly VIPPS) or a .pharmacy web address. A safe pharmacy asks for a prescription and has a licensed pharmacist you can contact.
Can I buy medicine online without a prescription?
No. A safe online pharmacy always asks for a valid prescription. A site that sells prescription medicine without a prescription is a warning sign. Do not order from it.
Are generic drugs as good as brand-name drugs?
According to the FDA, a generic drug has the same active ingredient, strength, and form as the brand-name drug. Generics often cost much less.
How can I save money on my prescription?
Ask your doctor about generics and a 90-day supply. Compare prices at several licensed pharmacies. Ask about patient assistance programs.
Disclaimer: This guide shares general information about ordering medication online. This guide gives no medical advice for readers. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you change how you order or take your medicine.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026