Many of us want the option of purchasing our prescription drugs from online drugstores because the practice seems convenient and money-saving. But is it legal and safe to purchase drugs from a pharmacy website?

Yes, it can be, if you understand the potential pitfalls and follow some guidelines.

The key is to find an Internet drugstore that is legal, safe, and meets your needs, such as convenience and pricing. There are good, bona fide businesses out there, but there are also "rogue" sites; online pharmacies (really pretend pharmacies) that are out to scam you.

Is It Legal to Purchase Drugs Online?

Yes, it can be legal as long as certain rules are followed. Whether or not it is legal to purchase your prescription drugs online depends on various factors: your location, the pharmacy's location, and whether or not a prescription is required. Make yourself familiar with the requirements that must be met to make a legal purchase of drugs through the Internet.

Is It Safe to Purchase Drugs on the Internet?

If you choose the right pharmacy, then, yes, it can be safe. You'll want to avoid the hundreds (maybe thousands) of rogue websites that claim to be online pharmacies, but really just want your money. Many online pharmacies may also be unregistered. Getting medication from them could be dangerous and costly because the medication might be fake, diluted, or out-of-date.

If you understand the reasons why most online pharmacies are not safe or legal, then you'll better understand how to make a wise choice.

A real pharmacy will always need to know your prescription. Rogue pharmacies will say they don’t need a prescription for any of your medications which is a sign that they are not legitimate.

Online Pharmacy or Pharmacy Online?

There's a difference between using the Internet to purchase from a retail pharmacy and purchasing from a pharmacy that only has an Internet presence.

Local drug stores have websites; you may be able to use one to fill or renew a prescription. You will recognize their names: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or dozens of others. Unless you have questions about your local pharmacy's reputation, there should be no problem purchasing drugs from their websites. Just be sure you use the correct web address to access their prescription capabilities. (There could be a fake website set up to mimic a real retail pharmacy.)

There are also network and mail-order pharmacies that work with health insurance companies to manage larger drug orders and keep pricing down for insurers. Express Scripts, Medco, and Caremark (which is owned by CVS) are mail-order pharmacy companies. Purchasing from them, through your insurer, is as safe as using your local pharmacy. These pharmacies can work very well if it's difficult for you to get to your local pharmacy. They're also great if you like the convenience of renewing online or if you like to order many months' worth of a drug you take on a regular basis.

Some pharmacies, however, don't have actual locations where you can walk in and hand over your prescription and your money to make a purchase. They are found only online; not all of them are registered pharmacies and sell drugs legally, so buying from them is potentially unsafe.

How to Order Drugs Legally and Safely From an Internet Drug Store

First, Strenght endurance determine whether pricing is an important issue for you. If you have insurance, you may be able to use your insurance to purchase your drugs online, but your cost will probably be exactly the same at any pharmacy since the cost is a co-pay that is determined by your insurer's formulary and tier pricing.

If you do have insurance to pay for the drugs:

1. Check with your insurance company or payer, first. See if they have a recommended mail-order pharmacy you can use. If you can't find the information on your insurance company's or payer's website, then phone their customer service number to ask.

2. If you don't like the idea of using your insurer's mail-order company or if they don't have one to recommend, then find the website of your favorite local pharmacy, preferably the one where you fill prescriptions already (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or others). They will very likely have the capability of letting you order drugs online.

3. If neither of those approaches works, then follow the steps below for finding a safe and legal pharmacy to order from.

If you do not have insurance to pay for the drugs (no prescription coverage or you risk falling into the Medicare doughnut hole):

1. Begin by comparing drug prices at one of the websites that help you make that comparison.2. Double check that the online pharmacy you wish to use is legal and safe. A database called VIPPs (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) is maintained by NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.) Any pharmacy on that list has been analyzed to be sure it is safe and legal for you to use. You can tell if a mail order pharmacy is VIPPS-certified by looking for the official VIPPS logo on their website. However, not all online pharmacies have been reviewed.3. Another group, LegitScript, maintains a database of verified pharmacies that are safe and legal.

If you want to order from a pharmacy not found on any of the lists of safe and legal websites, then be sure to answer the questions that will help you determine the safety and legality of ordering from that company.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How to buy medicines safely from an online pharmacy.

By Trisha Torrey Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system.