Searching for online drugstores is easy ? just type ?cheap prescription drugs? on the search box of any search engine website and you're sure to come it with thousands of Internet pharmacy website links. With a large number of web-based drugstores operating over the Internet at the moment, most people find it difficult to tell legal sites from illegal sites. And sorting the good sites from the bad ones would take a lot of patience.

So how can one tell an honest web-based pharmacy from a dishonest one?

Don't look far. The likelihood of being ripped off from buying prescription medications online decreases if you opt to buy from Internet pharmacies that are within the United States. You local pharmacy board should have a list of United States pharmacies and drugstores, both on land and on the web, that are licensed to dispense medications on your state. And also, it is worth considering that importing medications from outside the country is still illegal in most states.

Dig deeper. Go to the official website of the National Association of the Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and look for an updated list of accredited online pharmacy websites who've undergone the screening and have met the standards set by the NABP, along with the local pharmacy board of each state, to become a certified member of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS).

Consult your doctor. Ask your physician to run a thorough physical check-up to be able to determine your condition and write a prescription note with the proper medicine to treat your illness. No medical questionnaire will be able to compare to an actual, doctor assisted check-up.

Look for an online pharmacy website that requires a valid prescription. The prescription note will serve as a confirmation of your visit to the doctor and will tell the company that you've been suggested to take the medication for your condition.

Look for a web-based drugstore that gives your access to people who can answer questions you have regarding the company and the services they offer. Access to a customer support representative or a licensed pharmacist may help clear out any concerns you may have.

Protect your privacy. Look for the company's privacy policy and read it thoroughly. Make sure that you understand the company's stand on protecting you and the information you've shared on their website. You need to be certain that the Internet pharmacy will not sell or share your personal and financial information to third party companies unless you've given your permission.

Stick with good, old common sense. If you feel suspicious of a certain online drugstore, look it up on the NABP website. If it doesn't show there, don't give out information. Never submit any personal or financial information to websites that sound or feel shady to you.

If you suspect an Internet-based pharmacy to be illegal, report it to the authorities at once. They'll do the checking for you. It is your duty to protect not only your rights as a consumer but also that of others. The more people report illicit activities over the Internet, the safer the web becomes for all Internet-based economy and its patrons.