Stay Alert – Beware of Online Pharmacy Scams

Illicit pharmacies are sprouting like weeds online. They dominate web searches for brand-name meds and their ads pop up in social media feeds, usually promoting bargain prices with no prescription necessary.

Placing an order can be hazardous to your health. While these scammers often represent themselves as Canadian pharmacies, many are registered to Russian web domains. They may sell drugs that are mislabeled, expired, or ineffective due to the wrong dosages or active ingredients. Even worse, the drugs could be toxic, laced with dangerous substances ranging from printer ink and floor polish to arsenic and amphetamines.

Watch for these warning signs of pharmacy scams:

• An unsolicited email or social media post promises deep discounts on well-known drugs.
  
  
• A pharmacy site allows you to buy medications without a doctor's prescription.
  
  
• The site offers to ship internationally.
  
  
• The supposed pharmacy is located outside the United States or its website does not list a location.

Reputable online pharmacies will have a seal of approval called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS), provided by the Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the United States. The FDA offers educational resources for consumers through its BeSafeRX campaign.

Canadian residents can visit safe.pharmacy to find information about safe online pharmacies.