Should consumers who currently purchase drugs over the Internet or import medications from other countries be concerned about counterfeits?
A. Consumers can be confident in the quality, safety, and efficacy of drugs purchased from a state-licensed pharmacy in the U.S. Websites that sell drugs over the internet are not necessarily legitimate licensed pharmacies and may be located anywhere around the world. Consumers need to be cautious when they buy drugs over the internet, because they may not receive the FDA-approved drug, which has been reviewed for safety and effectiveness. For those consumers who purchase drugs over the Internet, look for websites that have the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal. These are licensed pharmacies where FDA-approved medications can be purchased. These sites are identified by the VIPPS hyperlink seal displayed on their Website. Unless medications have been purchased from a state-licensed pharmacy website in the U.S., the safety and efficacy of these medications cannot be guaranteed.
