The following information has been published by the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine

Protect Youself and Your Pet:  Be A.W.A.R.E.

If you've ever searched online for prescription pet medicines, you've no doubt seen eye-catching, attention-grabbing claims.  They sound convincing in thier promises of convenience and lower prices.  But are these claims really true?

A:  Ask Your Veterinarian. 

Before you purchase online, talk with your veterinarian!  Your veterinarian wants what's best for you and your pet.  Ask your veterinarian questions like, "Do you trust the Internet pharmacy site?"  "Have you ever worked with the pharmacy?" "Have other clients used that site?  If so, what were their experiences?"

W:  Watch for Red Flags 

When buying from online pharmacies, keep an eye out for red flags.  Be careful if the ...

- site does not require veterinary prpescriptions for prescription medicines.  Websites that sell prescription veterinary medicines without valid veterinary prescriptions are breaking the law.  Under Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a pharmacy can't sell you a veterinary prescription medicine without a valid prescription or other type of order from a licensed veterinarian.  Online questionnaires or consults don't take the place of valid veterinary prescriptions.  Sites that sell medicines without requiring valid prescriptions rob you and your pet of the protection provided by a veterinary physical exam.

 - site has no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.  Can someone answer your questions about your pet's medicines?

 - site is not based in the United States.  If an out-of-country site fraudulently takes your money, there's not much the U.S. government can do to help you get your money back.

 - site is not licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy where the business is based.  If the site operates in the United States, check the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website to see if the pharmacy is properly licensed:  http:// www.nabp.net/consumers/board-of-pharmacy-contacts/.

 - site does not protect your personal information.  Keep yourself safe from identity theft!  Make sure the site you use is secure.

 - site prices are dramatically lower than your veterinarian's or other websites' prices.  If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

 - site ships you medications that you didn't order or that look very different from what your pet normally takes.  Don't give these medicines to your pet!  Contact the site immediately!

A- Always Check for Site Accreditation

In addition to following Federal and State licensing and inspection requirements, in 2009, the NABP created a voluntary accreditation program called Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary- Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites).  Vet-VIPPS accredited online pet pharmacies:

 - are approprately licensed in the states from which they ship drugs

 - have successfully completed a 19-point review and online survey

 - undergo yearly VIPPS review and re-accreditation

 - undergo NABP on-site surveys every three years

 - Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacies must meet other criteria, including protecting client confidentiality, strict quality assurance, and making sure prescription offers are valid.

R- Report Problems and Suspicios Online Pet Pharmacies

If your pet has a problem with a medicine purchased online (for example, a reaction to the medicine or the medicine not working), first contact the medicine's maker.  To report problems directly to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), call 1-888-FDA-VETS.  For a copy of the reporting form (FDA Form 1932a) and for more information on how to report problems, visit the following website:  http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm055305.htm.

Protect yourself, your pets, and others!  Don't fall victim to illegal online pet pharmacies.  Report suspicious online pet pharmacy sites to the FDA and the NABP at:  http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm055305.htm or http://www.nabp.net

E-Educate Yourself about Online Pet Pharmacies

The best defense you have against illegal online pet pharmacies is education.  Do your homework and be online pet pharmacy A.W.A.R.E. before you purchase your pet's medicines online.  An informed consumer is an empowered consumer.

For Additional information, visit the following sites:

THE U.S.FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF PHARMACY

http://www.nabp.net

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

http://www.avma.org/issues/prescribing/default.asp