Bad or outdated health information online can cost you time, money, and sometimes your health. You don’t need a medical degree to separate reliable sites from hype. Use a few quick checks and you’ll spot trustworthy sources fast.
Author & credentials — does the article list a named author with medical or professional credentials? If you can’t find an author or background, treat the content with caution. Reliable pieces often show who wrote or reviewed the page.
Sources & citations — good health pages link to studies, guidelines, or official statements. If an article makes claims without sources, be skeptical. Real sites point to PubMed, CDC, clinical guidelines, or peer-reviewed research when needed.
Updated date — medicine changes. Check for a clear publish or update date. If a page hasn’t been updated in years, its advice might be out of date.
Domain & ownership — .gov, .edu, major hospitals, and well-known medical centers are usually credible. Commercial sites can be trustworthy too, but look for transparent ownership and clear editorial policies.
Ads and sponsorship — every site can have ads, but watch for content that reads like an ad. If the page overly pushes a product, especially with unrealistic promises, it’s less likely to be objective.
Contact, privacy, and correction policy — reliable sites show how to contact editors, list privacy rules, and explain how they handle errors. That’s a sign they take accuracy seriously.
Pharmacy specifics — when buying meds online, look for accreditation (like PharmacyChecker listings or national regulator approvals), clear prescription rules, a physical address, and pharmacist contact details. If a pharmacy sells prescription drugs without asking for a prescription, avoid it.
Use at least two trusted sources before acting on medical advice you find online. Good cross-checks include national health agencies (CDC, FDA, NHS), major hospital sites (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic), PubMed for research, and the Cochrane Library for reviews. For drug safety and approvals, check the FDA or your country’s equivalent regulator.
If you read about online pharmacies, compare details across reviews and regulatory lists. Look for clear shipping rules, reasonable prices, and user feedback. For prescription changes or new treatments, ask your doctor or pharmacist — a quick call beats risky self-treatment.
Want a practical step? Bookmark two or three reliable sources now (one national agency, one hospital site, one research database). When you search later, compare what each says. If they agree, you’re on solid ground. If they don’t, ask a clinician.
On Evo-Pharmacy.com we review pharmacies, explain medications, and point to original sources so you can check facts yourself. Use our guides as a starting point, then confirm with official health pages or your provider before making decisions.
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