Scams are everywhere online. You can check a pharmacy in five minutes and avoid fake meds. Use this simple guide to verify any online pharmacy before you buy.
Start with accreditation. Trusted seals matter but don't trust them blindly. Look for CIPA (Canadian International Pharmacy Association), NABP VIPPS (US), PharmacyChecker, or LegitScript listings. Click the seal — it should link to the certifier's site and show the pharmacy's name. If the seal is just an image, that's a red flag.
Prescription rules say a lot. A legitimate pharmacy will ask for a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber. If a site sells antibiotics, controlled drugs, or strong painkillers without a prescription, walk away. Some legal online pharmacies offer telehealth visits, but they still document your prescription.
Talk to a person. A real pharmacy lists a phone number, a working address, and a licensed pharmacist you can contact. Call during business hours and ask a simple question about dosage or side effects. If no one answers or the staff can't answer basic questions, don't order.
Check security and payments. The website should use HTTPS and show a valid SSL certificate. Pay with a credit card or a reputable payment service that offers dispute protection. Avoid money transfer services, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency payments for prescriptions.
Inspect product details. Legit pharmacies list manufacturer names, active ingredients, dosage, and lot numbers. They explain generic versus brand-name options and provide storage and shipping info. Poor product pages with vague descriptions and no batch information are suspect.
Read independent reviews. Search for the pharmacy name with words like "scam," "reviews," or "complaints." Use third-party sites like PharmacyChecker or consumer forums. Watch for patterns: many identical positive reviews can be fake.
Red flags to watch for: no prescription required; prices that seem too good to be true; shipping from unknown overseas locations; poor grammar and broken site layout; no pharmacist contact; pushy sales or bulk discounts on prescription meds.
Check the site's WHOIS record for domain age and owner info; new domains that pop up overnight are risky. Read the privacy policy for how they store data. Keep copies of prescriptions and order receipts. If shipping crosses borders, check your country's customs rules — some meds can be seized. And if anything feels off, don't risk it; buy locally or through a verified pharmacy. Trust your gut and stay safe.
