Canadian pharmacies must hold a license from their provincial or territorial regulatory body to legally operate. This license ensures adherence to strict standards regarding drug handling, dispensing, and patient safety.
To verify a pharmacy’s legitimacy, check the College of Pharmacists’ website for your province or territory. These websites provide registries of licensed pharmacies. Confirm the pharmacy’s license number and address match what’s presented online.
- Always verify the pharmacist’s license: Each pharmacist requires individual licensure. This protects you from unqualified individuals dispensing medication. Look for secure websites: Legitimate online pharmacies use secure servers indicated by “https” in the website address and padlock icon in the browser bar. Beware of suspiciously low prices: Unreasonably cheap medication may signal counterfeit or illegally sourced drugs.
Canadian law requires prescriptions for most medications. Purchasing drugs without a valid prescription from a licensed Canadian physician is illegal, regardless of the source.
Obtain prescriptions only from your doctor. Never solicit prescriptions from unqualified individuals online. Ensure your prescription is genuine. Confirm the details with your physician if you have any doubts. Report suspected illegal online pharmacies to Health Canada.
Importing medications into Canada without proper authorization is also subject to penalties. Follow the established guidelines for importing personal medications to avoid legal issues.
Health Canada provides resources to help you identify legitimate online pharmacies. Use these tools to ensure safe and legal online medication purchases.
