Online pharmacies provide great convenience to many consumers when it comes to getting access to prescription medications. Unfortunately, the presence of fake online pharmacies poses an equally great risk comprised of counterfeit medications and health hazards. To keep buying prescription drugs online a safe and positive experience, follow these tips:
1. Opt for online counterparts of major chain pharmacies.
If you must buy from an online pharmacy, opt for one that is an online version of a major chain pharmacy. Online pharmacies like these follow the same stringent and strict procedures used by their brick-and-mortar counterparts in the processing, handling, and shipping of medications and other drugs. They also have lower prices since pharmaceutical firms give them huge discounts. If the prescription medication you need is quite rare, you also have a better chance of finding it in a major chain-online pharmacy. You can also visit a local branch of the online pharmacy in case you encounter problems in taking your medications.
2. Consider online versions of local pharmacies.
Even major chain pharmacies have limitations when it comes to expansion. If there is no major chain pharmacy in your area, you can opt for the online version of a local pharmacy. While they cannot provide you with the same low prices as major chain pharmacies, you have the added benefit of proximity. You can seek the advice of the pharmacy’s registered pharmacists for questions and consultations quite easily.
3. Choose an online pharmacy that requires a prescription.
Whether the online pharmacy you are using is a major chain, local, or purely online one, check if it requires a prescription. It is illegal to order and sell prescription medication without a valid Rx in the United States. Hence, sites that are offering you the option to do so are probably operating illegally. Beware of sites that do not require prescription since the medicines they are selling may be counterfeit and dangerous to your health.
4. Check for license and accreditation.
The warehouses, offices, and stockrooms of reputable online pharmacies undergo regular inspections from regulating bodies like the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Associations, and the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. A site that is licensed, accredited, and approved by these organizations are legal and can cater to your healthcare needs competently.
5. Look for complete, verifiable contact information.
This is especially crucial for pharmacies that are purely online in operation. Email addresses are not enough; a site must post a complete and verifiable physical address and toll-free phone numbers. If these are not present at the website, opt for another online pharmacy. Contact information is essential especially if you encounter problems with the medication you ordered or if there is a mistake in delivery.
6. Examine the online pharmacy’s privacy and security policy.
Since you need to share identifiable, personal information in ordering medicines online, you have to make sure that the online pharmacy will protect any information you divulge and will not use it for its own ends.
Tips on Choosing an Online Internet Pharmacy
Ordering your prescription through an online Internet pharmacy can save you money and save you a trip to the local pharmacy. It is important that the online pharmacy you choose is legitimate and offers the services and medicines that you need.
Many people save a large percentage by ordering their medicines at an online Internet pharmacy. This is especially helpful if you order regularly and order several at a time. Even veterinary medicines are available. If you live in a remote area or a small town with a small pharmacy, it might be hard to get some prescriptions. An online Internet pharmacy has a large stock of medicines to serve people from different places.
Finding an Online Internet Pharmacy
The best way to find a pharmacy to suit your needs is to use an Internet search engine that will give you multiple sites to check out. There are special sites to verify pharmacy licenses and validate their business. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau Online to find out if there are negative reports from any pharmacies you have found.
Online pharmacies offer many categories of medicines for all different needs. You can buy many of the most popular medicines at these sites. You can buy pain relief medicines, allergy medicines, weight loss and others such as Diazepam. Valium, Alprazolam, Codeine, Viagra, Xanax, Acetaminophen, Lorazepam, and Ativan are all available. If you suffer from arthritis, blood pressure, or need an antibiotic, you will find these available at the online pharmacy as well.
When you are looking at different pharmacies, be sure to check on shipping costs and services offered. Some orders take up to three weeks to arrive and you need to order in time to receive it before you run out of your current prescribed amount. If you need emergency medicine, it would probably be better to get your prescription locally.
Buy Quality Medicines
Some practical measures will ensure that you will be satisfied with your order. Don’t plan to buy based solely on price, research first and make sure you will be buying quality medicines. Make sure they have a valid street address and phone number and licenses to practice in their country. Don’t use an online Internet pharmacy unless it has a privacy policy. This is important to protect you from Internet spam and also your personal privacy.
Medicines dispensed in the U.S. are quality controlled by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), in conjunction with the FDA. You should consider this when choosing to buy drugs from out of the country.
It is not a good idea to order medicines you have never taken before, you should know what your prescription looks like. This will help ensure that you receive the right drug and not a substitute or counterfeit. Consult with a health care professional before ordering online prescriptions. And, don’t mix medicines without talking to a doctor first. Some medicines have serious interactions when combined with others.
Save at an Online Internet Pharmacy
With the cost of drugs rising drastically in recent years, an online Internet pharmacy can assist you in saving money on your prescriptions and other medicines. Take time to research your options to get the best prices on quality medications.