Tips for Buying Health Products Online

With the number of online illegal pharmacies on the rise, what can you do to protect yourself? Here are a few tips for spotting the fakes and safely buying health products online:

Check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to determine if a pharmaceutical site is licensed and in good standing before you make a purchase.
Don’t buy pharmaceuticals from sites that offer to prescribe a prescription drug for the first time without a physical exam, sell a prescription drug without a prescription, or sell drugs not approved by the FDA. Key phrases to look out for include “NO PRIOR PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED” or, “FREE ONLINE DOCTOR CONSULTATION.”
Make sure the site you are purchasing from offers a full inventory of drugs, not just the highly popular ones like painkillers, weight loss, smoking cessation and impotence drugs
Do not purchase health products from sites that do not list an address and telephone number.
Beware of sites that advertise a “new cure” or “medical breakthrough.”
Talk to your healthcare professional before using any medications for the first time.
Don’t provide personal information such as credit card numbers unless you are sure the site will protect them.