Many legitimate Web sites bring customers health products with the benefits of convenience, privacy, and, sometimes, cheaper prices. “But consumers need to be aware that the Internet has also created a marketplace for unapproved medical products, illegal prescribing, and products marketed with fraudulent health claims,” says William Hubbard, associate commissioner for policy and planning at the Food and Drug Administration.

• When buying prescription medicine online, make sure the site requires a prescription and has a pharmacist available for questions.
• Buy only from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. Online pharmacies should be licensed.
• Make sure the website you’re considering buying from is secure before providing personal information and credit card numbers. Look for the security lock at the bottom of most web broswers on pages where you enter personal details, or make sure the url is green and displays a lock in the url field for IE7
• The FDA recommends checking with your health care provider before buying a medical device or before obtaining services that have been promoted on the Internet.