Internet pharmacies have captured a significant percentage of online purchases. It is estimated 1 in 12 net users have purchased meds online enabling a multi-billion industry to flourish. Along with this tremendous success there are countless innocent consumers who have been "scammed" by rouge pharmacies more than willing to take their money and delivering placebo type medications if they deliver at all or even worse, dangerous improper re-creations of requested medications.

If you do plan on utilizing the convenience and cost effectiveness of online pharmacies please keep the following safeguards in mind when shopping.

1. It is financially unnecessary to join a "membership organization" to buy pills online. There are countless net pharmacies doing business online which makes it irrelevant to join a membership club.

2. If a pharmacy requires a separate non-refundable fee to cover a Dr.'s consultation, more than likely the pharmacy will take this fee and never deliver any meds.

3. Test the pharmacy out prior to any purchases by sending an email to the pharmacy's supplied email address. As well, you should try to contact the pharmacy via telephone (they should include a toll-free number). Does a live person pick up during stated business hours? In addition, most reputable net pharmacies include a live chat function. Are they answering your request?

4. If possible, inquire as to which country of origin the meds are coming from. Some of the safer and more reputable countries include Canada, India & various European countries. Stay away from meds originating from countries in South America.

5. Last but certainly not least use your best judgment and intuition when picking your next online pharmacy. If you don't feel completely comfortable with the pharmacy/site operator, don't buy pills from them. Choosing the wrong pharmacy can lead to your being "scammed" out of a couple hundred dollars to even worse buying and using "bogus" medications.

The internet has allowed many of us the convenience and cost savings to shop online. To shop for and buy pills online should not be a task taken lightly. If you do venture into the realm of online pharmacies, make sure you thoroughly research the site, follow my 5 point safeguards and ultimately, listen to your intuition.