There is no question that consumers have a lot of reason to raise their eyebrows over buying prescription drugs online. Some online prescription drug sellers overlook practices that ensure safety and legality. Or, they or try to circumvent them.
However, buying your prescriptions online can be safe, effective, and time-saving. The key is knowing how to properly vet each provider.
We’ll explain in more detail and share some of the benefits of buying your prescription drugs from an online pharmacy. Ready to learn more? Let’s jump in.
How to Spot an Online Pharmacy With Unsafe Practices
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) verifies internet drugstores throughout the United States and most Canadian provinces. So you can feel safe when you buy medication online — but only when using their recommended pharmacies.
The University of Michigan Health System advises you not to trust an online pharmacy that:
- Doesn’t request a prescription
- Isn’t licensed (pharmacies in the U.S. and Canada are licensed at the state or provincial level)
- Has no licensed pharmacist available to handle patient questions
- Isn’t “secure,” meaning that any information you enter (e.g., phone or social security number) might be seen, even used by anyone
- Doesn’t have a URL beginning with “https” instead of “http”
If you still have doubts, contact your physician or another health professional, public or university librarian, or another trusted, authoritative source.
Benefits of Buying Prescription Drugs Online
Once you’ve taken account of the above cautions and done your research, you can enjoy the benefits of an online pharmacy. Here are what we see as some of the possible conveniences when you buy prescription drugs online.
1. When You Buy Medication Online, It Saves You Time
Some people have drugstores only a short walk from home. For most, though, buying prescriptions in person involves a more extended car trip. This option allows you to have the medications you need delivered to your doorstep!
2. It Can Keep You From Getting Sick
Many sick — and possibly contagious — people leave the house and go to the drugstore to buy needed meds. Today, we try to avoid encountering these people at all costs. Home delivery can help.
3. The Order Comes Directly to Your Door
When you buy from an online pharmacy, the order is shipped right to you: no store trip, no germs, no inconvenience, and you can maintain your privacy!
4. You Can Buy a Larger Supply at One Time
Often, local pharmacies lack the space or customer volume to stock large supplies of drugs. It’s especially true for those that are less commonly used.
Even if your doctor prescribes a large amount, the drugstore might not have enough for the entire order.
5. Online Pharmacies Offer Prescription Discounts
With more and more legitimate websites to buy medication online, there is a degree of competition. Hence patients buying prescriptions online can comparison shop for the best deals.
And, of course, now that Canadian online pharmacies compete in the U.S. market, their drug pricing policies give them a competitive edge. Americans are flocking to them.
Consider Yourself Warned — Then Buy Your Prescription Drugs Online
Did you know that in November 2020, the giant Amazon.com began selling prescription drugs online? What will this mean for other online websites that sell prescription drugs online?
It could mean more competition, lower prices (at first), a growing monopoly (down the road), or legislation to reduce drug costs in the U.S. It could mean other things too. Remember, it’s Amazon.
For right now, we recommend that you keep checking our health and lifestyle site for more news on this and other pressing issues in our society.
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