Looking to order medication from the web? You’re not alone—more people are turning to online pharmacies for convenience and price. But the internet is full of fake shops that sell counterfeit pills or steal your data. Below you’ll get a quick, practical roadmap so you can shop safely without spending hours on research.
First thing to check: does the site require a prescription for prescription‑only drugs? Legit pharmacies will ask for a valid doctor’s note and usually verify it with a pharmacy board. If a site sells strong meds like antibiotics or hormonal therapy without any paperwork, walk away.
Next, look at the URL. A secure site uses https and shows a lock icon in the browser bar. Also, avoid domains that end in .ru, .cn, or other obscure extensions unless you’ve verified they’re certified by an authority like CIPA (Canadian International Pharmacy Association) or NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy).
Read the contact information. A real pharmacy lists a physical address, phone number, and licensed pharmacist’s name. Give them a quick call—if they answer with a vague script or no one picks up, that’s another warning sign.
Use free tools to confirm legitimacy. The NABP Verified Pharmacy Program lets you type the site name and see if it’s approved. In Canada, check the CIPA directory. For EU sites, look for the EU common logo that links to a national regulator.
Check customer reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot or Reddit health forums. Real users will mention delivery times, packaging, and whether the meds matched the label. A handful of glowing testimonials on the pharmacy’s own page can be fabricated, so look beyond the site itself.
Finally, compare prices with a known reference pharmacy. If something sounds too cheap—especially high‑cost drugs like insulin or specialty cancer meds—it probably is counterfeit. Low price can mean low quality or no active ingredient at all.
By following these steps you’ll cut down the risk of getting fake pills, protect your personal data, and keep your health on track while enjoying online convenience.
