Why it's worth five minutes
FDA notes that people use online pharmacies "because of convenience, privacy and cost savings; however, some websites sell medicines that are dangerous or even deadly." A site can look like a pharmacy without being one.
Step 1: look up the license
FDA keeps a state-by-state list of board of pharmacy license databases on its Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy page. Pick your state, then search for the pharmacy by name.
If it's listed, FDA says to also confirm that the pharmacy:
- "Requires a doctor's prescription"
- "Provides a physical address and telephone number in the United States"
- "Has a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions"
Step 2: check the signs
| FDA safe signs: "Your online pharmacy is likely safe if it:" | FDA warning signs: "Your online pharmacy may be an unsafe website if it:" |
|---|---|
| "Always requires a doctor's prescription" | "Does not require a doctor's prescription" |
| "Provides a physical address and telephone number in the United States" | "Is not licensed in the United States and by your state board of pharmacy" |
| "Has a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions" | "Does not have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions" |
| "Is licensed with a state board of pharmacy" | "Offers deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true" |
FDA also lists three more warning signs. The pharmacy:
- "Sends medicine that looks different than what you receive at your local pharmacy, or arrives in packaging that is broken, damaged, in a foreign language, has no expiration date, or is expired"
- "Charges you for products you never ordered or received"
- "Does not provide clear written protections of your personal and financial information, or sells it to other websites"
When the package arrives
This is a practical suggestion, not FDA text: compare what arrived with what was prescribed before you use it, and call the pharmacy's licensed pharmacist with any question. If something looks wrong, don't use it until you've talked to the pharmacist or your prescriber.
How to report a problem
FDA's BeSafeRx page points to two reporting paths:
- For "an unexpected experience or side effect associated with the use of a medicine," report it to FDA through MedWatch.
- For "websites that you think are illegally selling medicine," use FDA's report-unlawful-sales form, linked from the BeSafeRx page.
For what happens between a prescription and a shipment, read What happens after a telehealth prescription is sent to a pharmacy.
This page is run by MediWells.
Common questions
How do I check if an online pharmacy is licensed?
Use FDA's list of state board of pharmacy license databases. FDA: "If your online pharmacy is not listed, you should not use that pharmacy."
Is a pharmacy that doesn't ask for a prescription safe?
FDA lists "Does not require a doctor's prescription" as a warning sign of an unsafe website.
What if the price looks much lower than everywhere else?
FDA lists "Offers deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true" as a warning sign.
What should I do if my medicine looks different?
FDA lists medicine that "looks different than what you receive at your local pharmacy" as a warning sign. Talk to the pharmacist or your prescriber before using it.
References
- FDA BeSafeRx: Considering an Online Pharmacy?
- FDA BeSafeRx: Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy
- FDA: BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information
Sources checked on October 10, 2026.