Advice From Other Organizations

The following links will take you off the FDA site to places where you can learn more about how to protect yourself when shopping for health products online.

Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites — In 1999, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) created a program called Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites or VIPPS. The program gives consumers a single place to check out an online pharmacy to ensure that it meets current standards. To become certified by VIPPS, an online pharmacy must meet the licensing and inspection requirements in the state where it is located and each state to which it dispenses pharmaceuticals. In addition, VIPPS online pharmacies must protect a patient's right to privacy, ensure authentication and security of prescription orders, adhere to a recognized quality assurance policy, and provide a mechanism by which patients can get their questions answered by a pharmacist. NABP helps the licensing boards in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, nine Canadian provinces, and four Australian states develop, implement and enforce uniform pharmaceutical standards that protect the public health. FDA is working with NABP to help protect consumers from unscrupulous Internet sites selling prescription pharmaceuticals.

The Federal Trade Commission has created an "E-commerce and the Internet" site filled with useful information for consumers.

Internet Fraud Watch: The National Consumers League, a nonprofit consumer organization, has set up the National Fraud Information Center & Internet Fraud Watch, a Website filled with information that helps consumers protect themselves online.