Buzz
A wide range of apps and websites now allow you to manage prescriptions digitally, offering everything from birth control to antibiotics. These services are often cost-effective, quick, and simple—but how do you know if they’re truly reliable?
What should you expect from an online pharmacy?
You’ve probably come across some popular names in the online pharmacy world, whether you realized it or not. Hims and Hers, two well-known brands under one umbrella, provide treatments for issues like erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and birth control. They also offer support for mental health, skin conditions, and more. Other platforms, like Nurx, specialize in birth control, while Wisp targets urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. Blue Chew focuses on erectile dysfunction, and services like Bicycle Health and WorkIt Health offer medication for substance use disorders when available.
With these services, you can log in and, in most cases, instantly connect with a licensed provider on your phone. If a prescription is issued, it may be sent to your pharmacy or even directly to you. Essentially, you eliminate the need to visit a doctor, wait in a waiting room, have face-to-face consultations, or even take a trip to a pharmacy. The level of convenience offered here is remarkable, especially for those who wish to keep their medical purchases private.
What are the potential drawbacks?
The Food and Drug Administration has launched a significant campaign to educate consumers about online pharmacies, highlighting the vast growth of these services. The first step in considering these services is to check the FDA directory, find your state, and ensure the pharmacy is properly licensed. Once confirmed, verify that it requires a doctor’s prescription, provides a U.S.-based address and phone number, and employs a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions.
According to the FDA, there are certain red flags that suggest you should avoid specific online pharmacies. Stay clear of any service that matches any of these criteria:
It does not require a doctor’s prescription.
It is not licensed in the U.S. or by your state's pharmacy board.
It does not have a licensed pharmacist available to answer inquiries.
It sends medication that appears different from what is typically available at your local pharmacy.
It delivers medicine in damaged packaging, packaging in a foreign language, lacks an expiration date, or is expired.
It offers prices that seem “too good to be true.”
It charges you for items you didn’t order or receive.
It does not provide clear written assurances about the security of your personal and financial data.
The websites for every telehealth provider and associated pharmacy should clearly state whether they are legitimate. For example, Wisp claims its medical professionals and pharmacies are licensed to operate in all 50 states. However, it's always best to independently verify this. A small savings on a prescription is not worth the risk of receiving counterfeit or expired medications.
Some online pharmacies operate without a telehealth service, such as Capsule or Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Co. Always take the extra step to confirm that your pharmacy is legally allowed to operate in your state and is adhering to all relevant regulations.
