Telemedicine has made great strides in making prescription medications more accessible. However, innovation is almost always accompanied by those looking to take advantage of the system.

The good news? With the right guidance, spotting and avoiding counterfeit online pharmacies becomes far simpler. Let’s take a closer look at how to spot and avoid this problem below, and how to identify a safe online pharmacy instead.

Carefully Review the Website

As we’ve discussed in a previous blog post regarding how to buy meds safely online, vetting the company that you intend on purchasing medication from is crucial to making sure you only buy from legitimate online pharmacies. But how exactly do you guarantee that the pharmacy you’re looking at is providing its patients with authentic medications? Here are a few tips that will help you out as you approach new pharmacies.

  • Pay Attention to Website Design and Copy: Not all scams are well-constructed, making it easy for consumers to take one look at the website and say, “something doesn’t look right here”. When you first go on a pharmacy’s website, take a look around and see whether or not it measures up to modern design standards. Is the website easy to navigate? Does it look well-produced, and is content regularly updated? If you come across a website that looks questionable or with inconsistent content or information, chances are that you’re dealing with an organization selling counterfeit pharmaceuticals or just taking the money of those who need medication. 
  • Carefully Research the Company Online: Online pharmacies don’t just have an online presence; they’re organizations with history and real individuals operating the company. This is why scams can be so easy to spot. If none of the people listed on the website exist or you can’t find official documentation or coverage of the business, this either means that it’s very new or it’s a fake operation. Regardless, stay away from pharmacies with these red flags. 
  • Look Closely at Online Reviews: Online pharmacy reviews can tell you a lot about a company. Sometimes, these reviews will be good, and some of them will be bad. For online pharmacies that consistently offer great quality and value, the majority of online reviews will be glowing. However, it’s crucial that you pay close attention to online reviews. Consistently great reviews with similar or exact language used across multiple customer testimonials can be an indication that reviews are fake, especially if you see them on the website and in other places online. The last thing you want to do is to buy into fake reviews, only to get counterfeit medication!

Beyond the Website: Paying Attention to a Company’s Operations

Online pharmacies can end up revealing a lot by the way their website is set up. The problem? This guidance only works when scams are very transparent about being scams. In some cases, counterfeit pharmacies are set up so well that even diligent consumers aren’t made aware of the issue immediately. This is why it’s so important to pay attention to a company’s policies and how they operate.

Take, for example, an online pharmacy like Inhouse Pharmacy. Inhouse Pharmacy is very transparent about how it operates in order to satisfy government regulations. In fact, you know that you’re getting access to:

  • Live Pharmacists: Counterfeit pharmacies aren’t interested in making sure that you know what you’re getting. Instead, they’re focused on getting your order so they can make a profit and send over a different medication at a reduced price. Legitimate online pharmacies make sure you have access to live pharmacists so you can answer any questions you may have. 
  • Securely Packaged Medication: Counterfeit pharmaceuticals won’t come in the right packaging, let alone in the right format. Real pharmacies make sure that you’re getting the right product by using safety seals and original packaging to prove that what you order is what you receive. Should certain medications be repackaged, your company will let you know why and how you will receive them so that you aren’t left out of any part of the buying process. 
  • Support Every Step of the Way: Online pharmacies that are only interested in sending counterfeit medications are notorious for having poor customer service. Legitimate companies, on the other hand, offer several ways to reach out and are there to guide you through every step of your journey. 

Put simply, the level of care that you receive with a legitimate pharmacy and the rules and regulations they follow will always distinguish them from counterfeit pharmacies only looking to take you away from your money without providing you with the final product. Use the tips in both of the sections above to make sure you only purchase medications from real online pharmacies!

Get the Support You Deserve With Inhouse Pharmacy

Operating since 1996, we here at Inhouse Pharmacy are dedicated to making sure that you get the medication you need to manage your health at affordable prices. With benefits like free shipping, free worldwide delivery, and a secure and seamless ordering process, it’s never been easier to access the medicine you need right from the comfort of your own home with the help of online pharmacies!

Looking to make sure that Inhouse Pharmacy is the right fit for you? Take a look at our online pharmacy reviews to see what others have to say about our service. Ready to place an order? Our extensive inventory of medications and bargain section will help you find everything you need to manage your condition. If you have any questions about Inhouse Pharmacy or the medications that you want shipped to your front door, make sure to reach out to us and we’ll be ready to help you with anything you need to shop for online medications with confidence!