Updated April 03, 2015.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

Question: What Do I Need To Know About Buying Medication Online For My Asthma?

Buying medication online can be daunting. Every time you enter a drug in a search engine, hundreds of sites come up trying to make a sale to you. Is it safe? What do you need to know before purchasing? Read more and learn about buying medication online.

Answer:

Buying medication online affords you the privacy that you don't when purchasing face-to-face at your local pharmacy.

It's also convenient, fast, and lets you compare prices easily. But how do you know buying medication online is safe? Can you really have the same security with your neighborhood pharmacy when buying medication online for your asthma?

When buying medication online, you need to be aware that some Web sites may sell you medication that could put your health at risk.

Buying Medication Online -- Am I Protected By The FDA?

When buying medication online, you are probably less protected than you think. The FDA:

• Must approve all drugs, but not supplements, sold in the U.S.
• Must approve all claims made by drug companies about their products
• Takes administrative and legal action against companies selling drugs without an appropriate prescription
• Assists state agencies in enforcing all laws and policies related to the sale of drugs

While the FDA has to approve drugs before their sale, there is not a whole lot they can do before receiving a complaint.

Buying Medication Online -- Be Careful

Buying medication online can be problematic.

Some sites:

• Aren't licensed or are not even a pharmacy
• Do not protect your personal health information
• May give you the wrong medicine for your problem when purchasing over-the-counter medication
• May sell you a prescription medication without a prescription

Some Web sites may sell you asthma medications that:

• Are counterfeit
• Are out of date or expired
• Do not contain appropriate ingredients
• Are not FDA approved
• Do not meet manufacturing standards
• Were not shipped or stored appropriately

Buying Medication Online -- Know Who You're Buying From

A safe Web site for buying medication online should:

• Be located in the U.S. and licensed by the National Association of Boards (NABP) of Pharmacy
• Have a licensed pharmacist available to address any concerns you have about your asthma medication
• Only fill prescriptions from appropriately licensed healthcare providers
• Participate in the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) certification program.
• Protect your privacy and keep your personal information safe

You can check to see if your pharmacy is VIPPS certified. The NABP also publishes a list of websites that are not recommended for buying medication online because the sites are possibly out of compliance with state, federal, or NABP standards or laws.

Buying Medication Online -- Final Thoughts

These final tips can help you when buying medication online:

• Don't buy prescription medications from sites that will sell you medication without a prescription from your doctor.
• Only buy FDA-approved drugs.
• If you are suspicious of a site, report them to the FDA or NABP.
• Check out your online pharmacy site with the NABP before purchasing.

Buying Medication Online -- More Need-To-Know Information

• Online Drugstores - Are they Safe?
• 10 Tips For Using An Online Pharmacy
• Counterfeit Drugs: Am I At Risk if I Buy Drugs Online?

<sub>Source:

FDA Consumer Information. Accessed January 31, 2010. Buying Drugs Online</sub>