Are Internet Pharmacy Sites Legitimate?


This question and answer copyed from DEA Web Site

Many Internet pharmacy sites are legitimate. These Internet pharmacy sites may vary in the services they provide, but they may fill a prescription for a controlled substance which was issued to you by an authorized practitioner for a legitimate medical purpose. They should confirm the legitimacy of the prescription for a Schedule III-V controlled substance before filling it by contacting the prescriber. They are not authorized to fill a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance unless they have first received the original signed prescription.

Some Internet sites for pharmacies advertise local pharmacies and usually list the name, address, and telephone number of the local pharmacy closest to you. Many of these sites provide a great deal of information concerning specific diseases or medical conditions, and drug information. Many Internet sites operated by local pharmacies or mail order pharmacies serve as a communication link so that you can request refills of prescriptions, check the status of your prescription, or ask the pharmacist a question. These are appropriate uses of the Internet by pharmacies.

Some sites simply provide information about specific drugs and medical conditions. After obtaining some general information from you, this type of "Internet Pharmacy" will refer you to a specific local pharmacy or a mail order pharmacy to have the prescription that you obtained from your physician filled. These are appropriate uses of the Internet by pharmacies.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/internetpurch.htm

The DEA Q&A on dispensing/purchasing controlled substances via the internet.