Since about the year of 2000, a growing number of Internet pharmacies have been created worldwide. Many of these pharmacies are similar to community pharmacies, and in fact, many of them are really worked by brick-and-mortar community pharmacies that serve consumers online and those that walk in their door. The primary variation is the method by which the medications are requested and received. Some customers believe this to be more convenient and private method rather than traveling to a community drugstore where another customer may overhear about the drugs that they take. Internet pharmacies are also suggested to some patients by their physicians if they are homebound.

While most Internet pharmacies sell prescription drugs and need a valid prescription, some Internet pharmacies sell prescription drugs without requiring a prescription. Many customers order drugs from such pharmacies to pass up the "inconvenience" of visiting a doctor or to get medications which their doctors were unwilling to prescribe. However, this practice has been criticized as potentially hazardous, especially by those who feel that only doctors can reliably assess contraindications, risk or benefits ratios, and an individual's in general suitability for use of a medication. There also have been reports of such pharmacies provision substandard products.