26 Nov 2025
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Buying medicine online sounds convenient-until you realize half of the websites selling pills aren’t legal. In 2022, the FDA shut down over 1,200 fake online pharmacies that were selling fake, expired, or dangerous drugs. Many of these sites look real: they have professional designs, fake customer reviews, and even use logos that mimic real pharmacies. But if you don’t check their license, you’re risking your health. The good news? You can verify any online pharmacy in minutes using free public tools. Here’s how to do it right.
Why pharmacy verification matters
Not all online pharmacies are created equal. Some are licensed, regulated, and safe. Others are criminal operations hiding behind a website. The difference? A valid license. A licensed pharmacy must follow strict rules: pharmacists must be certified, medications must be sourced legally, and records must be kept. Unlicensed sites? They can sell anything-counterfeit Viagra, fentanyl-laced painkillers, or even chalk pills with no active ingredient. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found that 96% of websites selling prescription drugs online don’t meet U.S. pharmacy standards. That’s not a typo-96%. And it’s not just about scams. In 2023, a Chicago hospital hired a pharmacist whose Illinois license had been revoked. They only checked their internal database, not the state’s official system. The result? A $250,000 settlement after a patient got the wrong medication. Verification isn’t just for hospitals. If you’re ordering medication online for yourself or a family member, you need to know the pharmacy is real. It’s the only way to avoid dangerous drugs and protect your health.How to check if an online pharmacy is licensed
There are two main ways to verify a pharmacy: through your state’s system or through NABP’s national platform. Both are free or low-cost, and both are reliable. Step 1: Find the pharmacy’s official name and license number You’ll need two things: the exact legal name of the pharmacy and its license number. Many sites hide this info. Look in the footer, on the “About Us” page, or under “Contact.” If you can’t find it, walk away. Legitimate pharmacies list this openly. Step 2: Use your state’s license verification portal Every state has a public database where you can search for licensed pharmacies. For example, if you live in Washington State, go to doh.wa.gov, click on “License Verification,” and search by the pharmacy’s name or license number. The system will show you:- License status (active, suspended, expired)
- License number and issue date
- Business address and contact info
- Any disciplinary actions or complaints
What to watch out for
Even if a pharmacy passes verification, watch for red flags:- They don’t require a prescription
- They ship from outside the U.S. (especially Canada, India, or China)
- They offer “miracle cures” or discounted controlled substances
- They ask for payment via wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- They don’t have a physical address or phone number you can call
State vs. national systems: what’s the difference?
State systems are free and accurate-but limited. If you’re only buying from a pharmacy in Washington, checking Washington’s DOH portal is enough. But if you’re using a pharmacy that ships nationwide, you need to check multiple states. That’s where NABP Verify shines. Here’s a quick comparison:| Feature | State System (e.g., Washington DOH) | NABP Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $79/year (free search available) |
| Scope | One state only | All 50 states + territories |
| Update Speed | 24-72 hours | Real-time (connected to 41 state boards) |
| Best for | Local pharmacies, single-state users | Multi-state pharmacies, healthcare organizations |
| Search by | Name or license number | Name, website, or license number |
What happens if you don’t verify?
In 2023, a woman in Florida bought “generic Cialis” from a website that looked like a real pharmacy. The pills were laced with a toxic industrial chemical. She ended up in the ER with kidney failure. The pharmacy? Unlicensed. No license number listed. No way to trace it back. The FDA estimates that 1 in 10 pills bought from unverified online pharmacies contain the wrong dose-or no active ingredient at all. Some contain rat poison. Others contain banned substances that interact dangerously with heart medications. Verification isn’t just a formality. It’s a life-saving step.Pro tips for safe online pharmacy use
- Always verify before you pay. Don’t wait until after you receive the package.
- Use only pharmacies that require a valid prescription. No prescription? No sale.
- Check the pharmacy’s physical address. Call them. If they don’t answer, walk away.
- Set a reminder to re-check licenses every 6 months. Licenses can be suspended or expired without you knowing.
- If you find a fake pharmacy, report it to the FDA at fda.gov or the NABP.
What’s changing in 2025?
New technology is making verification faster. Washington State is upgrading its system in late 2024 to connect directly to electronic health records. By 2025, Epic and other major EHR systems will auto-check pharmacy licenses when a prescription is filled. That means fewer mistakes. NABP is also expanding its real-time network. By 2025, it will cover 55 jurisdictions-including U.S. territories. That’s good news for people who travel or get medication shipped from Puerto Rico or Guam. But the biggest change? More enforcement. The SAFE Drug Act passed in 2023 gives the FDA more power to shut down fake pharmacies. If you see a site selling controlled substances without a prescription, it’s not just risky-it’s now a federal crime.Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an online pharmacy is safe?
Check if the pharmacy is licensed in your state using your state’s official pharmacy board website. Then verify it through NABP Verify to ensure it’s licensed in other states too. Look for the VIPPS seal, but only trust it if it links directly to NABP’s official site. Avoid pharmacies that don’t require a prescription or ship from outside the U.S.
Is NABP Verify worth the $79 annual fee?
For individual consumers, no-you don’t need it. The free search tool works fine. But if you work in healthcare, manage a clinic, or order medication from multiple states regularly, the $79 fee saves hours of manual checks and reduces the risk of errors. Hospital systems and pharmacies use it because it’s the only way to verify licenses across all 50 states in minutes.
Can I trust pharmacies based in Canada or other countries?
Not unless they’re licensed in the U.S. and verified by NABP. Even if they claim to be “Canadian pharmacies,” if they’re not licensed to sell in the U.S., they’re breaking federal law. The FDA doesn’t regulate foreign pharmacies, so there’s no guarantee the drugs are safe, pure, or even real.
What if the pharmacy’s license is expired but the website still looks active?
Don’t buy anything. License expiration means the pharmacy is no longer legally allowed to operate. Some sites keep running for months after their license expires. State boards don’t always take down the website immediately. Always check the official state database-not the pharmacy’s own site-for the true status.
How often should I verify a pharmacy’s license?
Verify before your first purchase, then re-check every six months. Licenses can be suspended due to complaints, inspections, or non-payment of fees. Just because a pharmacy was safe last year doesn’t mean it’s safe today.