Puntos clave
- 1Score the site against fifteen red flags — one warrants caution, three or more mean do not transact.
- 2Anonymity is the core signal: no licence number on the regulator's register, no physical address, no named pharmacist.
- 3Behavioural signals (no prescription for Rx-only, crypto-only payments, urgency timers) matter more than design polish.
- 4Report suspicious sites — reports are what get domains taken down and protect the next person.
En esta página
1The fifteen red flags
Score the site. One flag warrants caution; three or more means do not transact.
- 1Sells prescription-only medicine without a prescription.
- 2Offers a questionnaire instead of a prescription for controlled or high-risk drugs.
- 3No named responsible pharmacist anywhere on the site.
- 4No verifiable physical address or licence number.
- 5Licence number that does not appear on the regulator's own register.
- 6Accepts only cryptocurrency, wire transfer or gift cards.
- 7Prices far below every other supplier of the same pack.
- 8Domain registered very recently or hidden behind privacy protection.
- 9No secure connection on payment pages.
- 10Copied text or stock photography reused from other pharmacy sites.
- 11Unsolicited email, SMS or social media advertising.
- 12Claims to treat conditions with no approved treatment.
- 13Countdown timers, fake stock counters or other urgency tactics.
- 14No adverse-event reporting or complaints procedure.
- 15Customer service that refuses to answer direct sourcing questions.
2How convincing fakes are built
Criminal operations frequently clone the visual design of legitimate pharmacies, register a similar domain name, and reuse genuine regulatory logos. Some maintain responsive customer support and ship promptly, because a smooth experience reduces complaints and extends the site's lifespan.
This is why behavioural signals matter more than appearance. A well-built site that will ship prescription-only medicine without a prescription has told you exactly what it is, regardless of how professional it looks.
3Reporting protects other people
Regulators act on reports. Reporting a suspicious seller is often what triggers an investigation or a domain takedown.
- United States: report to the FDA and to the NABP.
- United Kingdom: report to the MHRA.
- European Union: report to your national medicines agency.
- Include the URL, screenshots, order details and any packaging photographs.
Lo que muestra el dataset de Jivan
- 59×
- brecha de precios media
- 84%
- de los anclas supera 10×
- 344×
- mayor brecha documentada
Across our full referenced dataset, 476 referenced molecules average a 59× price gap, 84% of them are at least 10× cheaper in India, and the widest documented comparison is Colchicine at 344×. Across the full referenced dataset the gap is systematic rather than anecdotal: 84% of anchored molecules are at least 10× cheaper, with a 59× average ratio — a market-structure effect repeated across all 26 therapy areas.
Calculado en vivo desde 476 anchors
Preguntas frecuentes
Reviews are easily fabricated and are among the weakest signals available. Prioritise regulator-verified licensing and the prescription requirement over any review content.
Prompt shipping says nothing about product authenticity or manufacturing quality. Sophisticated operations deliberately provide good service to build trust and avoid complaints.
Some regulated telehealth services legitimately use online consultations reviewed by a licensed prescriber. The distinction is whether a real licensed clinician reviews your case, not whether a form exists.
Fuentes y lectura adicional
Cada afirmación anterior es rastreable hasta una fuente primaria pública. Citamos reguladores y organismos de salud pública, no vendedores comerciales.
- 1Find a Safe Online PharmacyNational Association of Boards of Pharmacy
- 2Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory AgencyUK Government
- 3Personal Importation of MedicinesU.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 4WHO Prequalification of Medical ProductsWorld Health Organization
Cómo se creó este artículo
Escrito e investigado
Health Safety Editor, Jivan Editorial TeamRevisado editorialmente
Editorial Review Board — Jivan
Checked against regulator label information before publication.
Aviso médico importante
Consulta siempre a un médico antes de cambiar de medicamento, dosis o marca. Jivan ofrece información educativa y de precios y no sustituye el diagnóstico ni la atención de urgencia.