If you've never purchased medications from an online pharmacy before, you may wonder if it's safe to do so. It sure is tempting if, like many people, you are tired of paying highly inflated drug prices at your local drug store (the US has the highest prescription drug costs in the world). You'd like to find a cheaper alternative.

You could take a quick trip to Canada. Prescription drug costs there are much lower than in the US so a booming and controversial practice has sprung up around medications coming into the states from north of the border. This practice violates FDA regulations, even though law enforcement officials rarely target online pharmacy customers who order medications from outside the US.

The Offshore Online Pharmacy

When you buy drugs over the Internet, it's always safest to buy from a US-based online drug store.

That's because importing from online drug stores based in countries other than the US and Canada is a risky business. It has been estimated that up to 40% of all drugs sold in developing countries (such as Mexico) are actually counterfeit products that may cause adverse reactions.

So while the foreign online pharmacy may promise you a ridiculously low price for Viagra, for example, what you receive in the mail might be nothing more than snake oil dressed up in an authentic-looking little blue pill. And one of three things will happen when you take it:

1. Nothing. It just won't work.
2. Unpleasant side effects.
3. Serious and dangerous side effects.

The FDA's View of Online Drug Stores

The FDA's Consumer Safety Guide warns that some medicines sold through some online drug stores may not be safe to use. They may be fake copies, contain ingredients not listed on the label, or be too weak to do any good.

The FDA urges consumers to use only those online drug stores that are have US licensed pharmacists on hand to answer your questions and US licenced doctors to write the prescription... reliable, professional pharmacies.

How to Choose a Trustworthy Online Pharmacy

If you want to save money on prescription drug costs AND stay within the law, select a US-based online pharmacy. Do some research, make a short list, and then compare prices, quality of service, bonus offers, ease of contact, and any other consumer factors that are important to you.

When you find the lowest price for the product at a reputable online pharmacy that has credentials and a solid track record, then you'll have found an online drug store where you can place your trust and place your order with confidence.