In general, there are two kinds of online drugstores, a prescription pharmacy and a non-prescription pharmacy. Prescription pharmacies offer prescription medications at discounted prices, but require their customers to present a prescription note first before dispensing the medicines. Non-prescription pharmacies can be one of two kinds: One that sells prescription medications without asking for a duly signed prescription note; or one that sells cheap non prescription medicine over the Internet.



Just like any pharmacy, consumers are asked to present a prescription note duly signed by their consulting physicians before they are allowed to purchase any prescription medication. Legitimate online pharmacies follow such protocol, hence, making them the safest choice to buy medications from. However, there are exceptions in the case with non prescription pharmacies on the web. Some online drugstores offer the service of a licensed physician for an online consultation by means of a webcam and voice chatting.

Internet-based pharmacies that offer to sell you prescription drugs or medications without asking for a prescription note or giving you access to an online consultation can be pretty suspicious as they already violated one of the local board's strictly implemented rules for any operational drugstore.

But how can we make sure that the Internet pharmacy is safe and secure? Here are some tips to help you determine if an online pharmacy is licensed to operate via the Internet or not:

1. Look for a duly certified and accredited web-based drugstore.

You local pharmacy board holds a list of certified online pharmacies that have met the necessary standards to start operating over the Internet. Also, the official websites of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) have a list of accredited Internet-based drugstores who have passed the strict inspection of the NABP and your local pharmacy board.

2. Look for an Internet pharmacy that asks you for a prescription note when it is needed.

As mentioned earlier, the law requires pharmacies to ask their customers for valid prescription notes before dispensing prescription drugs.

3. Look for an online pharmacy that respects your right to privacy and security.

Carefully read the Internet drugstore's privacy policy and make sure that you understand how the company plans to protect your privacy. Make sure that every information you submit to their website is protected and will not be used for any other purpose except for the reason it was asked for in the beginning.

If you have encountered an illegal online drugstore and have become one of its victims, make sure to report it to the authorities so that due action can be taken to prevent such kinds of fraudulent companies from further victimizing consumers on the World Wide Web.