U.S. Food and Drug Administration

WARNING

The Food and Drug Administration urges eBay buyers and sellers to be sure that any pharmaceutical, medical device, or radiation-emitting product they want to buy or sell is not an illegal, recalled, or fraudulent item.

Persons using the eBay Website should avoid:

• Any prescription drug or prescription device. These products need a valid prescription from a medical practitioner licensed by law to administer prescription products. Many commonly used devices require prescriptions to be purchased or can only be sold to a licensed healthcare professional.
• In-vitro diagnostic devices, such as glucose test strips. Glucose Strips manufactured for sale outside of the U.S. may not be calibrated for use in the United States and could endanger a diabetic’s life by providing incorrect blood sugar readings. Glucose strips may also be counterfeit unless purchased from a reputable source.
• In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices that have not been stored or mailed using storage conditions appropriate to the instructions for use. In addition, IVD devices that have expired should not be purchased or sold. A list of FDA cleared IVDs can be found at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/LabTest/ucm126079.htm.
• Foods or medical products that have expired, or appear damaged or mishandled. This includes salvaged or “as is” goods that come from locations affected by damage caused by natural disasters, including flooding, fire, excessive heat and humidity. These conditions can have irreversible adverse effects on the safety or effectiveness of the FDA regulated products.
• Items that have been recalled, including medical devices, food products, and cosmetics.  For more about recalled products, check FDA's list at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.

» For more on buying medical and radiological products online, go to FDA's Website at http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Consumers/BuyingMedicalDevicesandDiagnosticTestsOnline/default.htm.

» For important information for consumers on Internet sales of laser products, see http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety/AlertsandNotices/ucm116534.htm.

» For more about recalled products, check FDA's list at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.

Healthcare professionals should be cautious when buying:

Radiation-emitting devices such as x-ray systems or other radiological imaging equipment. The sale of these items may be subject to regulation by FDA, state, and local regulatory agencies.

(Note: In the event you are interested in obtaining a prescription product, or if you have questions about any medicine or device, FDA urges you to contact your doctor or pharmacist. For brokers interested in the wholesale purchase or sale of prescription drugs, please be aware that a number of state and federal laws apply to the wholesale distribution of such products.)

Remember: Check before you buy, and check before you sell!

The Food and Drug Administration promotes and protects the public health by helping safe and effective products reach the market in a timely way, and monitoring products for continued safety after they are in use. Besides foods and drugs, FDA also regulates biological products (such as blood and tissue transplants), cosmetics, veterinary products, and medical and radiation-emitting devices (such as medical implants, surgical supplies, microwave ovens, and cell phones). Products regulated by the agency account for about 25 cents of every consumer dollar spent in the United States.