Are online pharmacies legitimate?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Some online pharmacies are legitimate and many are not - the difference is checkable before you order. A legitimate site always requires a prescription, is licensed by the state board of pharmacy, has a pharmacist available to answer questions, and lists a physical US address and phone number. The FDA warns that sites selling prescription drugs without a prescription, or at prices far below everyone else, commonly sell counterfeit, expired, or wrong-strength medicine.
What to do
- Use the FDA check. BeSafeRx, the FDA resource, points you to your state board of pharmacy's license lookup. No license, no order.
- Watch for the big red flag. Any site offering prescription drugs with no prescription required is operating illegally.
- Start with known names. The online version of your usual chain pharmacy, or the mail-order pharmacy your insurance partners with, is the safest starting point.
- Treat extreme prices as a warning. If one site is dramatically cheaper than every other, assume the pills are not what they claim.
Related questions
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