Ensuring safe, affordable access to needed medications is core to the mission of CSIP and its partners. In the age of COVID-19, this work is even more important. People are putting off health care visits that are needed to prevent or manage chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. To reduce infection and spread, in-person doctor and pharmacy visits are limited, leaving those at greatest risk even more vulnerable. Knowing about the availability of telehealth, prescription delivery services, and ways to safely visit a doctor or pharmacy, can help people continue to access needed care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, offers guidance for in-person visits to health care facilities including using touchless pay systems, arranging to pick up all needed prescriptions (and in larger supply where possible) at the same time, and using curbside or drive-through pick up where available. When looking online for prescription medications, there are resources to help you locate safe and affordable pharmacies.

CSIP partner, GoodRx, offers a range of support services from discounted medications to access to affordable online medical care. You can also find tips for safely managing your medications during COVID-19. Verify Before You Buy, a joint effort between CSIP and the States of Connecticut and North Carolina, offers a free search tool to confirm if an online pharmacy is legitimate and safe to purchase from. Illegal pharmacies can distribute medications that are fake or contaminated with dangerous substances, such as fentanyl.

Recent developments in the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs showing he died from illegally obtained opioids laced with fentanyl, highlights the continued need for education and support in this area. CSIP and its partners will continue to work to raise awareness and offer resources to communities and families – especially during this public health crisis.

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About the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP)

The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP), a non-profit organization founded in 2011 by the White House, represents the technology sector and commerce intermediaries including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Oath, UPS, PayPal, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and .Health.  CSIP’s mission is to promote industry best practices as it relates to illegal online pharmacies, and educating consumers about safe purchasing of prescription drugs.