Paying for prescription drugs can be the bitterest pill of all to swallow. The costs involved soon rack up.
Well, there are many ways to make some great savings buying prescription meds. Purchasing them online can keep your costs down. The pharmacies selling them over the internet are often based overseas where the drugs are cheaper.
Twenty-seven million Americans claim to have bought medication that way.
Faced with thousands of legit looking online sites, how do you know you’re not going to be scammed? Even if the drugs arrive, how can you be sure they’re the real thing?
We’re going to give you the tools you need to make a considered judgment. You could then be well on your way to keeping more of your hard-earned cash in your pocket by buying through a legit online pharmacy.
Is It Legal to Buy Drugs Online?
Provided certain rules and regulations are complied with, it can be legal to buy drugs online.
The legalities will depend on things like where you live, the location of the online pharmacy and whether a prescription is required. Our tips are designed to help you choose where to buy with care.
It is never recommended to self-medicate. Many drugs require a prescription. You should always have one when that’s the case. That shows a medical professional has made a considered judgment about any meds you need to take.
Going it alone is fraught with risk. Any drugs you buy online may interact adversely with other meds you’re taking. You might not even realize it.
The Convenience of Buying Online
You’ll already be familiar with the big name drug stores you see locally. Most of these will have their own online sites where you can buy your meds. There should be no issue at all ordering from here.
You may live far away from a reputable drug store. If so, then buying from their online store can be very convenient.
There are also many mail-order companies which have teamed up with health insurance providers. This helps keep costs down for the insurer. Purchasing meds from an online retailer that your insurer recommends is fine.
Choosing a Legit Online Pharmacy
Some pharmacies don’t have actual stores you can walk into and give over your prescription. They are only available to buy from online. There are many things you can do to mitigate the risks of buying in this way.
If you don’t have insurance to pay for your drugs, then these sites can be a godsend. They’re convenient and can save you a lot of money.
One thing to remember is that sites that are not legit can look remarkably professional. They’re like this because they want to dupe you. Don’t let yourself be fooled.
No Prescription Required?
You should avoid ordering from any site that claims no prescription is required to buy a name-brand drug. To buy a prescription drug, you have to have a real prescription to give to the pharmacy.
Some online pharmacies will claim you that their very own in-house ‘doctor’ can write the prescription without seeing you in person. This can often be a scam.
They may also ask you to fill in what seems like a comprehensive questionnaire. These forms though will not meet the required standards for diagnostic competency.
Understanding Telemedicine
It is true that telemedicine is changing some traditional processes dramatically. Real doctors, often employed by health insurers, can make some diagnoses. They do this by conducting an examination via your computer or smartphone.
However, specific medical benchmarks still have to be adhered to. Not everything can be prescribed. Most prescription drugs which need an ‘in-person’ examination will be excluded from this process.
Price Comparison Sites
Sites such as pharmacychecker.com can be great places to do your research. They’ve already done a lot of the hard work for you, relieving the stress it takes looking for legit sites.
They will have checked out the credentials of overseas online pharmacies. They’ll want to be sure that they’re up to standard. Whether or not the online pharmacy makes patient safety a top priority will be vital.
Verified sites will sell regulated drugs to consumers who have valid prescriptions. Prices at these pharmacies are generally much lower than in the U.S.A.
Pharmacychecker.com claims to check personal information of any kind is protected by the online pharmacy. It also ensures that the country from which drugs are dispensed is disclosed to the consumer.
A Stamp of Approval
There is a database called VIPPs or Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. This is compiled by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Any pharmacy it lists will be totally safe to use.
It’s important to bear in mind though that not all online pharmacies will have been included in the reviewing process. That means there could be perfectly legit sites that have simply not been ‘officially’ checked out yet.
This program also does not include non-U.S. pharmacies. Many reputable international pharmacies have been serving millions of Americans for a long time. They will not be on the list though.
Where Is the Online Site Based?
Some countries do have very similar standards to those required in the U.S. when it comes to drug dispensing.
Canada, New Zealand, and the U.K. have some of the strictest pharmaceutical regulations in the world. The rules are also carefully enforced. Read more here about how you can buy from a legit overseas online pharmacy.
Online reviews can also give you a good indication of how reputable a site is. These should not be taken in isolation. They should be part of the verification process.
Caution should be exercised. Judgment needs to be made on whether glowing reviews are real or not.
Take Care of Your Health
Staying healthy is crucial for a fulfilling life. Prescription drugs sometimes play a vital part in achieving this. Convenience and cost are understandable considerations in the process.
When it comes to buying meds, knowing what makes a legit online pharmacy may help you find the source that suits you. Check out other ways we can help you make your hard-earned cash go further.