7 Mistakes with Buying Medicine Online and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that 76% of overdose deaths in recent years have involved fentanyl? Fentanyl can be found in hard street drugs and “prescription” medications from unregulated sources. That’s not stopping people from either buying medicine online or becoming addicted to prescription painkillers to the point where they have to turn to illicit dealers.

Don’t make the same mistake as so many. Instead, read this guide to avoid common mistakes when buying medicine online. That way, you can purchase medicine discreetly and safely. 

1. Missing Fraudulent Websites

The first step in buying medicine online is choosing an online pharmacy that’s legitimate. Many people fail to verify this and the results can be quite dire.

The best thing that can happen in these scenarios is that you simply pay and never get medicine. If you get expired medicine or medicine laced or cut with other stuff, you may end up hospitalized or worse. Getting hooked on drugs from these sources is also terrible because it can turn a common ailment into a dependency.

To check for legitimacy, you’ll want to have a look at the online pharmacy’s license. Do this by looking at the company’s listed physical address (a necessity in Canada) on their website and then cross-referencing that with the province’s licensing body. Each regulatory authority has a list of licensed pharmacies that will confirm whether the website has a valid license.

2. Skimming or Skipping Reviews

This is a follow-on from the first point, but important in its own right. You should also make sure that the service you’re contracting with has good user reviews. Skipping this step or conducting lackluster research can lead to you giving too much money to a service that’s very frustrating to deal with.

Google reviews, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau are three of the top independent sources for user reviews. If a service scores high on one of these places, then it’s definitely a decent service. Reading online reviews along with any testimonials should be a standard part of finding a good online pharmacy.

3. Forgetting Prescriptions

This may come as a surprise, but many people still think that you don’t need a prescription when buying prescription medication over the internet! Before you’re able to buy prescription medication from an online pharmacy, you’ll need to provide them with proof that you’re allowed to access regulated drugs. An ‘online pharmacy’ that lets you buy prescription medication without the required documents is probably selling fake, stolen, or dangerous medicine.

To fill a prescription online, first, go see a doctor about your condition. Once you have the prescription, you’ll be able to buy the medication online. Simply go to the online store, add the medication to your cart, and then upload the prescription from your computer as part of the checkout process.

4. Not Accounting for Shipping Costs

Prescription delivery costs are unique to each online pharmacy. Some may give discounts based on thresholds, some make standard delivery completely free, while others may charge for rush or all deliveries. If you’re used to buying medicine in a brick-and-mortar store, make sure you factor any new prices into your monthly budget.

Go to the online pharmacy’s web page and look for their delivery policy. Alternatively, you can also contact them and ask them to email you any information about the delivery fees.

Many people get bogged down comparing medicine prices with online shopping and forget that having medication delivered may even work out cheaper. Depending on where you live, what you do, and how much money traveling costs you, the delivery may cost less than the trip to the pharmacy. Convenience may also free you up to focus on work more if that sort of thing is a concern of yours.

5. Foregoing Research

All medicine is generic, meaning it’s made for as many people as possible. Medicine is also part of the sciences, which means knowledge is ever-developing.

Even though modern medicine caters to more allergies to medicine than ever, and even though they no longer market morphine as a cure for alcoholism, it doesn’t mean the science is perfected. If you get a script for medication, at the very least have a look for yourself to make sure you understand the risks. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about anything that may confuse or stand out to you.

6. Neglecting Check-Ups

Some people also fall into the habit of forgetting to see the doctor once they’ve started getting their medicine by mail. It’s important to stay in the habit of regularly seeing a doctor, especially if you are on prescription medication.

This way, they can see signs of adverse reactions and may recommend medication more suited to you. In the event that the medicine isn’t working fast enough (or at all), they can also prescribe something stronger if needed. This is especially important if you have a condition that can have disastrous effects if it spirals out of control.

7. Practicing Bad e-Hygiene

Buying medicine online involves inputting your personal and banking details into your computer. If you don’t have a firewall, antivirus, VPN, or some form of online protection, this can be very risky. There are many criminals today who are looking to exploit you by invading your digital privacy.

Make sure you get protective software on the device you use for medical purchases. Also, make sure you never share any of your login details with anyone you don’t trust.

Make Buying Medicine Online Easy for Yourself

Buying medicine online can make your life so much more convenient and private, but before you do, make sure that you’re buying medicine from a legitimate source with good service. Be sure to factor in shipping costs when comparing medicine prices.

Make sure to learn about all the options for medicine available for your condition from your doctor as well as the risks involved. Also, be sure to keep checking in with your doctor while on your medication.

We have an extensive range of medicines for online purchase. Take a look at our prescription medications and get your next fill for the best price.

Works Cited

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/federal-actions/overview.html#a1