While many health product websites are lawful businesses, some sell products that may present serious health risks. If you buy health products over the Internet, it is important to know the risks and to take steps to protect yourself and your family.

While health products sold online may look legitimate, you may have no way of knowing where they were manufactured, what is in them, or if they have been approved by Health Canada and assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. You may get fake or unauthorized products with no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives (such as prescription drugs not listed on the label). Unlicensed medical devices purchased over the Internet may be low quality, may not work, or may not be safe.