Order medicines online safely with the new .pharmacy

Most likely you’re NOT receiving a script from Canada (in actuality it may be coming from India, Russia, and China [etc] where a lot of illicit and counterfeit medications originate from). It’s a high probability that those medications do not even have the right mixture of medications in them (too much, too little or none), and instead may have extremely dangerous fillers/substances such as: drywall, rat poison, chalk/glue, and other harmful or lethal toxins. This is especially true if you obtained the medication without: a prescription, answered a questionnaire, or did an “online consultation”.

 I’ve followed this story for the past few years watching it unfold on ‘ABC News’ “20/20” which aired recently an installment (counterfeiting drugs and how prevalent they are, and how hard it is to catch and penalize the criminals/keep them off the streets – as it’s not just online this is happening … shopping malls, on the corner …). If you haven’t seen it watch it here along with reading the short article. This story hit home for me (at one time my parents ordered prescriptions from Canada when they could no longer afford the astronomical prices for some of their heart medications (dad). I listened intently to how, Libby Baney, who founded ASOP Global because her sister, Ali, ordered an allergy medication online. That allergy medication was actually illegitimate and contained hazards that made her [Ali] sick for a year from the side effects (she is now fully recovered). But let that sink in. Ali had no idea she was ordering from an illicit/rogue online pharmacy [taking something that could have potentially taken her life]. That makes me think of my dad and my mom. Living tightly on their reduced income with insurance not paying for some of their daily medications (that their doctors changed them over to) they felt they had no choice; and it’s not just them but many elderly or low-income households that feel they have no alternative but to do the same. I remember many years ago it was “all the rage”: order from Canada and save money. No one, least of all myself, expected that to become the story it has today, evolving into a billion-dollar industry of unscrupulous businesses that takes lives daily or reduces them, where there may be many “Ali’s” out there (some we may not even realize) all because the medicines are not real and contain very harmful chemicals, toxins, fillers – you name it. And they’re good at this. They stamp the medications. They send you packaging that may have the right name (or the name for it in the country you’re purchasing from) – but buyer beware: if you order from Canada and it arrives postmarked India (for example); your medication(s) did not come from a legitimate Canadian pharmacy.

1. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Meaning: if a medication normally costs you $100 but you’re able to get it for $10/$20 then something fishy is going on (super bargain);
2.  If you do not see VIPPS/VET-VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accreditation then it’s not a site that has been screened and approved by the NABP (stay away);
3. Go through .pharmacy as their domain will be safe and secure listing only trusted and accredited sites with: .pharmacy ending {similar to .com/.org/.net} or it will be their secure domain that you entered directly from the .pharmacy secure domain (the list will continue to grow and updated) I did ask about why some did not change and it’s a lot to write out (just know it makes sense and that you are going to a trusted/secure domain);
4. Your online/mail-order pharmacy should be listed, licensed, and located in this country (U.S). It should be licensed through the state they’re based in which can be verified on .pharmacy or NABP. This information should also be listed on their website and easily seen ~ otherwise: red-flag;
5. Do they have a pharmacist? They should and one that you can easily talk with (phone, e-mail, or online) and a phone number to contact them (along with a physical address and not PO). You should be able to pick up the phone and call to ask any question, no matter how simple you think it is;
6. All legitimate online pharmacies have privacy and security settings and should be listed. A website should not sell your personal information (unless you sign a release stating otherwise);
7. There are a lot of rogue sites you could order from unintentionally and they’re merely fronts for identity theft (or they send your unscrupulous medication and steal your identity). You should never share your personal information online unless you know the site is secure and trusted (safe). This means no sharing of: social security number, credit card number, or personal/private medical history;
8. No prescription needed (nor do they contact your doctor for validity) huge red-flag plus you could be sent the wrong medication/amount/strength [etc]. Or you only need to fill out an online questionnaire (with no pre-existing relationship or exam with [a/the] doctor);
9. You’re asked to sign a waiver. Legitimate pharmacies are not going to ask you to sign one before they dispense your medication; which could leave you in legal jeopardy;
10. Untrustworthy internet drug outlets may only have or sell ‘limited number of medications’, particularly lifestyle or controlled substances that treat pain, obesity, or impotence [examples];
11. It’s an international website and again, you may think it is in Canada but it could be located in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia [etc] and to be clear (while there are “some excellent Canadian Internet Pharmacy sites”): the NABP cannot recommend ANY Canadian site selling drugs to Americans as FDA regulations prohibit this; and
12. You found them through SPAM (unsolicited e-mail messages). They may look legitimate; however, once you click on it your computer may become infected (without you knowing) where again – sensitive information and identity theft could take place … or you think they are the ‘real deal’ and order through them (bringing us full circle).

I can’t say this enough: be safe online. In all matters. When it comes to ordering online medications, I would not risk it no matter how much the temptation is there or savings – I would find another way (and there are places and organizations that help; resources are available). For all sites mentioned and their links, I have listed them below. I highly recommend bookmarking .pharmacy if you currently order medications online or plan on doing so in the future. When you have time you should check and see if any sites you have ended up on or perused show up on the AwareRX site (updated regularly).

.pharmacy a secure and trustworthy top-level domain where consumers around the globe can be sure the medications they buy online are safe (takes you directly to page of online approved Pharmacies and Vet Pharmacies – scroll below the listings of the Boards of Pharmacies currently listed) here

NABP ~ National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (established in 1904 to assist state licensing boards in developing, implementing, and in enforcing uniform standards to protect the Public Health) here

ASOP Global ~ Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (their purpose is to protect patient safety globally and ensure patient access to safe and legitimate online pharmacies in accordance with applicable laws. Founded by Libby Baney, pictured at top with Dr. Carmen Catizone) here

AwareRX.org for not recommended sites listing (can look at ALL or by beginning letter; I recommended if/when this list is updated or added to .pharmacy to have a search feature implemented to help / make easier – so you could just enter the url string) here

FDA: Be Safe RX Know Your Online Pharmacy (a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of buying prescription medicines from fake online pharmacies. This campaign provides resources to help consumers) here

VIPPS (Developed by NABP in the spring of 1999 that accredits online pharmacies that dispense prescription drugs, in response to public concern of the safety of pharmacy practices on the internet. You can enter a URL to verify a specific website here or look at the listing of online pharmacies) here

VET-VIPPS (Developed by NABP as an expansion of VIPPS and accredits online pharmacies that dispense prescription drugs and devices for companion and non-food producing animals assuring consumers the online pharmacy is properly licensed and complying with state and federal regulations. This link is NABP’s listing of online vet pharmacies) here

LegitScript (Check the legitimacy of online pharmacies, online eyeglass retailers, and healthcare products. LegitScript is approved by the NABP) here

NeedyMeds (pharmaceutical assistance program listed if available for medication(s) by typing in the name [top left corner] with a link to the program website and requirements. They also have a drug discount card that may save you up to 80% off the cost of your prescriptions, OTC medications, and pet prescriptions purchased from a pharmacy ~ download the card. Other discounts with their card and more programs available [see the bottom scrolling ad that highlights some of them) here