Verify a European pharmacy before trusting the source.

01 / Verification

Click the logo and verify the destination

The European Commission explains that legally operating online pharmacies and medicine retailers use a common logo containing the flag of the country where they are registered. The important step is not merely seeing the logo. Clicking it should take the user to the business’s entry on the national competent authority’s list.

A copied logo that points to an imitation verification page is not evidence. Check the destination domain, business name, address, registration status, and authorized activities against the website and proposed counterparty.

02 / Scope

A valid registration does not authorize every activity

03 / Integrity

Verify the product as carefully as the seller

The EU Falsified Medicines Directive introduced safety features including a unique identifier and anti-tampering device on relevant outer packaging, along with stronger recordkeeping and the online-pharmacy logo. Those controls support supply-chain integrity, but the buyer still needs to match the product, manufacturer, strength, dosage form, and package to the request.

• Request the complete product and package description, not only a brand name.
• Confirm the manufacturer and country-specific packaging.
• Check whether the pack is intact and whether serialization or safety features apply.
• Identify the wholesaler or authorized channel supplying the pharmacy.
• Retain the source, verification date, and national-register link in the case file.

04 / Distribution

Use EudraGMDP for wholesale authorization and GDP evidence

EMA states that wholesale distributors in the EEA must hold a wholesale distribution authorization and comply with EU Good Distribution Practice. The publicly accessible EudraGMDP database contains wholesale authorizations, GDP certificates, and non-compliance statements entered by competent authorities.

A retail pharmacy check and a wholesale-distributor check answer different questions. If several entities handle the product, verify each role rather than assuming the pharmacy’s status covers the whole chain.

05 / Red flags

Signals that require a pause

• The verification logo does not link to an official national register.
• The website name, legal entity, address, and register entry do not match.
• The seller offers prescription medicines without an appropriate prescription process.
• The product description omits manufacturer, strength, dosage form, or package quantity.
• The seller promises guaranteed U.S. customs clearance.
• Temperature-sensitive products are offered without a documented storage and excursion process.
• Payment is requested before the responsible dispensing or distribution entity is identified.