Basically everything is available with just a click of the mouse nowadays. We buy books, clothes, and plane tickets online. And now prescription drugs are also on the list. Buying medicine online may be more convenient than running to the nearest drugstore. But one must be very careful. Although some online drugstores give ample information about their drugs and even give alerts on recalled medicine or generic alternatives, some of them ship out expired drugs and drugs that have not been packed and handled properly. Here are important pointers to avoid health risks.

Consult with your doctor. Before purchasing any medicine online, whether over-the-counter ones or prescription, be sure to let your doctor know. Your doctor can not only advise you on better brands or drug reactions you may have, he/she can also help to verify if an online pharmacy is reliable.

Use a licensed pharmacy. When visiting online pharmacies, check for license, certification, or approvals from legal and trusted institutions. It is important to determine if your online pharmacy is legal AND in good standing.

Ask for access to a registered pharmacist. It is better if your online pharmacy recommends a registered pharmacist that you can consult. It is especially important if you have any medication questions after you started taking the medicine you purchased from them. For any negative drug reactions, one SHOULD consult a pharmacist or doctor personally.

Read the privacy and security policies. This applies to anything you buy online. Make sure that all the personal information, such as your credit card number and medical history, will be protected.

Check the prices. It’s one thing to buy just about everything online. Make sure to compare prices at your local store. Sometimes local store prices beat those online.

Learn to spot fake drugs sold online. There are so many fake medicine sold online. Be wary of sites that do not ask for your prescription or those that sell at unbelievably low prices. Be especially suspicious if the site cannot be contacted by phone.

Be cautious in buying from foreign online pharmacies. Buying from these sites can be riskier. It’s harder to confirm their credibility. The drugs may be processed according to different standards, so you might get substandard products. Most of all, the labels might be in a language you don’t understand.

These pointers might turn out to be useless if you don’t know the exact reason why you need the medicine in the first place. If a doctor prescribes a medication, make sure to ask as many questions as you need. A simple question may prevent you from making a serious and expensive mistake.

For more information consult the FDA website or your local health and drug board.