How Can I Tell if an Online Pharmacy is Legitimate?: A Guide to Safe Online Medicine

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), nearly 95% of online pharmacies selling prescription drugs operate illegally. Learning how can I tell if an online pharmacy is legitimate is crucial for protecting your health and avoiding dangerous counterfeit products that can contain incorrect or harmful ingredients.

Quick Summary

To identify a legitimate online pharmacy, verify its license via the FDA or NABP, ensure it requires a valid prescription, and check for a physical U.S. address, phone number, and an available licensed pharmacist.

Key Points

Check for NABP Accreditation: Use the NABP's "Safe Site Search Tool" at safe.pharmacy or look for the .pharmacy domain ending, which signifies an accredited digital pharmacy.
Verify State Licensing: Check the online pharmacy's license with both your state's board of pharmacy and the state where the pharmacy is located using the FDA's BeSafeRx tool.
Ensure a Valid Prescription is Required: A legitimate online pharmacy will always require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for prescription medications.
Confirm Contact Information: Look for a verifiable U.S. physical address and phone number on the website. Avoid sites that only list an email address.
Check for a Licensed Pharmacist: A safe pharmacy has a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions. Contact them directly to confirm.
Spot Red Flags: Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, unsolicited promotional emails, unconventional payment methods, or damaged/suspicious product packaging.

The Dangers of Illegitimate Online Pharmacies

Before exploring how to verify an online pharmacy, it's essential to understand the risks of using illegitimate sites. Unregulated online sellers pose significant threats to patient health and financial security. Counterfeit medications are a widespread danger, often containing the wrong active ingredients, incorrect dosages, or even harmful substances like chalk, paint, or brick dust. The health consequences can be severe, ranging from ineffective treatment and drug resistance to life-threatening overdose or poisoning.

Beyond health risks, illegal online pharmacies often engage in fraudulent activities. They may steal your personal and financial information, leading to identity theft or unauthorized charges. Websites that lack proper security can expose your sensitive data, leaving you vulnerable to hackers.

Key Red Flags of an Unsafe Pharmacy

Spotting an illegitimate online pharmacy often comes down to recognizing specific warning signs. If you encounter any of these, it's best to avoid the website:

No prescription required: Offers prescription medications for sale without requiring a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Extremely low prices: Promises "deep discounts" or prices that seem too good to be true, indicating potential counterfeit products.
Unusual payment methods: Insists on unconventional payment options, such as wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
No U.S. physical address: Fails to provide a verifiable U.S. physical address and phone number for customer contact.
No licensed pharmacist available: Does not have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.
Suspicious emails: Sends unsolicited emails or social media messages promoting cheap drugs.
Poor website security: Lacks a secure website indicated by "https://" in the URL and a padlock icon.

How to Verify a Legitimate Online Pharmacy

Protecting yourself requires proactive verification. Legitimate online pharmacies are fully transparent about their practices and licensing. Follow these steps to ensure the pharmacy you choose is safe.

Check for Accreditation and Licensing

Regulatory bodies provide a crucial layer of protection. Checking for accreditation is one of the most reliable methods for verifying legitimacy.

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP): The NABP operates the .pharmacy domain registry and accredits digital pharmacies that meet safety standards. You can use the NABP's "Safe Site Search Tool" (safe.pharmacy/buy-safely) to verify a website's legitimacy by entering its URL. A website ending in .pharmacy is a strong indicator of legitimacy, as this domain cannot be faked.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA's BeSafeRx program is another excellent resource for verifying licensed online pharmacies. The FDA website provides a search tool to locate state-licensed online pharmacies.
State Board of Pharmacy: Every state has a board of pharmacy that licenses pharmacies operating within its borders. You can check the licensing database for the state where the online pharmacy is located and your own state to ensure it is licensed to serve you.

Look for Essential Site Features

Legitimate pharmacies prioritize patient safety and professional standards. Look for these crucial elements on any online pharmacy's website:

Prescription requirement: A valid, traceable prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is always required for prescription medications.
Contact information: A clear, verifiable physical address and phone number, preferably in the U.S., should be prominently displayed.
Licensed pharmacist access: A licensed pharmacist should be available to answer your medication-related questions.
Website security: The website URL should start with https:// and feature a padlock icon, indicating a secure, encrypted connection to protect your personal information.

Comparison: Legitimate vs. Illegitimate Online Pharmacies


Feature	Legitimate Online Pharmacy	Illegitimate Online Pharmacy
Accreditation	Accredited by NABP (`.pharmacy` domain) or state board licensed.	Not accredited or uses fake logos.
Prescription	Requires a valid, verifiable prescription.	No prescription or fills based on a quick questionnaire.
Contact Info	Provides a U.S. physical address and phone number.	Offers no physical address or only email contact.
Pharmacist Access	Has a licensed pharmacist available for consultation.	No licensed pharmacist on staff.
Prices	Comparable to local pharmacies; doesn't offer unrealistic discounts.	Advertises prices that are too good to be true.
Website Security	Uses a secure, encrypted `https://` connection.	Often uses unsecured `http://` or has poor privacy policies.
Product Packaging	Arrives in original, undamaged manufacturer's packaging.	Damaged packaging, foreign language, or no expiration date.
Payment Methods	Accepts standard payment methods like credit cards.	Insists on untraceable methods like cryptocurrency.

Take These Steps to Buy Medicine Safely

Using a trusted online pharmacy can offer convenience and savings, but it must be done carefully. By following these best practices, you can minimize your risk:

Start with Trusted Sources: Consider using your health insurance company's preferred online pharmacy or a reputable, well-known retail chain's online service.
Double-Check Medication Details: When your medication arrives, inspect the packaging and the pills. Compare them to what you typically receive from a local pharmacy. Report any differences or concerns to the FDA's MedWatch program.
Consider Local Pharmacies: Remember that many local and big-box store pharmacies offer very competitive pricing, especially for generic medications. It's always a good idea to compare prices before ordering online.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: When in doubt, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist. They can offer guidance and help you verify a pharmacy's credentials or suggest a legitimate alternative.

Conclusion

The convenience and potential cost savings of online pharmacies are appealing, but they come with real risks to your health and personal information if not used responsibly. Knowing how can I tell if an online pharmacy is legitimate is your best defense against fraudulent and dangerous sellers. By verifying accreditation through organizations like NABP or the FDA, ensuring the site requires a valid prescription, and being vigilant for common red flags, you can confidently and safely purchase your medications online. Always prioritize your health by choosing a verified and regulated pharmacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is a non-profit organization that accredits online pharmacies that meet safety standards. You can use their "Safe Site Search Tool" on safe.pharmacy to check if a website is accredited or on their 'Not Recommended List'.

No, not all .com online pharmacies are illegitimate, but you must be more careful when verifying them. A .pharmacy domain is a guarantee of NABP accreditation, whereas .com requires additional checks using resources like NABP and the FDA BeSafeRx tool.

Pharmacies that don't require a valid prescription often sell counterfeit, expired, or unsafe medications. These products could have incorrect dosages, be made in unsanitary conditions, or contain harmful ingredients, putting your health at risk.

If your medication looks different, arrives in damaged packaging, or has no expiration date, do not take it. Dispose of it safely and report the incident to the FDA through their MedWatch program.

A secure website's URL will begin with https:// instead of http://. Look for a padlock icon in your browser's address bar, which indicates that your personal and financial information is encrypted and protected.

It is not recommended to purchase prescription medications from pharmacies located outside the U.S.. Many are not subject to the same strict regulations and quality control as U.S.-based pharmacies, and importing prescription drugs is generally illegal.

You should be cautious of any online pharmacy that only accepts cryptocurrency or other unconventional payment methods. Legitimate pharmacies offer standard payment options like credit cards, which provide more security and protection for the consumer.

You can report a suspicious online pharmacy to the NABP via their website. For issues related to unsafe or counterfeit medicines, you can contact the FDA's MedWatch program.