Buying Medicine Online Can Be Risky, But NABP Helps You Do It Safely

Buying medicine online is so easy, right? You just browse, click, and it’s delivered to your door. The truth is not so simple.

Of the websites reviewed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), nearly 95% of them operate illegally. Some may pose risks, such as selling products that contain fillers like rat poison, dry wall, or even deadly fentanyl, providing bogus medication that fails to treat your medical condition, or stealing personal information and exposing you to fraud and identity theft.

But the good news is that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from these online predators. Empower yourself with information from safe.pharmacy, a website from NABP that provides medication-safety resources to patients.  

The website features a Safe Site Search Tool that instantly reveals whether a website is safe or Not Recommended. Safe websites that have been accredited through NABP’s Healthcare Merchant Accreditation program will display as “Verified.” Sites that operate out of compliance with NABP patient safety and pharmacy practice standards, or applicable law, will display as “Not Recommended.”

Warning signs of unsafe online pharmacies include no license from a state board of pharmacy, no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions, or if they only accept cryptocurrency or peer-to-peer payment methods.

Safe.pharmacy is also packed with tips on:

·         Spotting the signs of a rogue website: 

o   Safe sites will always hold proper licensure and require a valid prescription.

·         How your pharmacist can share tips for getting the most out of your medications: 

o   They can evaluate your medication list for possible interactions.

·         Where to properly dispose of unused medications: 

o   Many communities have year-round disposal boxes.

Plus, the website explains the dangers facing young adults on social media, who are often the target of ads for falsified, fentanyl-laced pills.

Buying medicine online can be easy AND safe, as long as it’s done right. Safe.pharmacy gives families the tools they need to protect themselves. Because medicine should heal, not harm.

Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community.