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7 Tips for Choosing Your Digital Pharmacy
Do you know that 35% of Americans have bought medication online? The two main factors in choosing a digital pharmacy are the cost of medication and health insurance. In addition, your health insurance coverage may change and not finance the medication you require.
There is a growing number of online pharmacies, but choosing a pharmacy that is right for you may be challenging. You want to ensure your medication comes from a safe and trusted place.
So, keep reading to find out how to choose a digital pharmacy that is easy to buy from, reliable, and licensed.
1. Ask for a Recommendation
Word of mouth is still the most effective method of marketing, so asking for a recommendation is a great place to start.
If your friends or family members use a digital pharmacy, they can give you some recommendations. You will know that they have done the vetting for you, and it is safe to order from your new pharmacy.
You can research online and read reviews on an online pharmacy to see what other customers say. Check if the digital pharmacy responds to any negative comments when you look through reviews.
Another way to seek recommendations is through your health insurance. Your insurer will have a list of pharmacies that had to go through a process of approval. Only legitimate digital pharmacies will be accepted.
Keep in mind, that if your new pharmacy is not on a list of approved pharmacies by your health insurance, it does not necessarily mean that it is not legitimate. The reason could be that your insurance company and that specific online pharmacy do not have a business agreement. It can still be safe to buy from the online pharmacy of your choice.
2. Does a Digital Pharmacy Requires a Prescription?
A digital pharmacy should ask you for prescriptions the same way a traditional pharmacy would. If you can call or order online without a prescription, you need to be careful.
If you don’t need to provide a prescription, the medication may be counterfeit. Or the medication shipped to you may not be approved by the FDA. What’s more, you may receive the wrong medication or incorrect dosage.
3. Check if There Is a Pharmacist Present
If you are asked for a prescription while buying from an online pharmacy, that pharmacy most likely has a pharmacist. You wouldn’t go to a traditional pharmacy and get medication without checking with a health professional. It goes the same for a digital pharmacy.
You should be able to call or contact a pharmacist online via email or a submission form to talk. The best way to check if there is somebody qualified who can assist you is to call in with any question, even a small one.
4. Check Prices
Most people buy through a digital pharmacy because the cost of medication is relatively lower. If you do not have health insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover a particular drug, shopping for the best price can be worth it.
However, if the price of your medication seems too good to be true, be wary. Extremely low prices may be an indication that there is something going on with the pharmacy. If the difference in price is significant, it can also mean that the drug is not FDA-approved.
You may end up buying a medication that is not right for you or possibly illegal.
5. Does It Have a Physical Address?
If you are switching pharmacies, make sure your new pharmacy has a physical address. Pharmacies in the U.S. and Canada should have street addresses, so you know where they are located.
Some may use a P.O. box address, but this may indicate that they are not physically located where they say they are. You can also look for the return policy and check what options you have in case of any issues with your order.
6. FDA Approved
To make sure a digital pharmacy is licensed for the state or province where they operate, look for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) approval or the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) for pharmacies based in Canada.
The NABP works with FDA to ensure that the medication a digital pharmacy sells is FDA-approved. Only FDA-approved medication can be shipped to the U.S. legally.
The organization offers an option of using a specific web address with the .pharmacy domain. Non-U.S. pharmacies can apply for the domain, too. Approved pharmacies are listed on the NABP or FDA website.
You may also want to use PharmacyChecker, a for-profit company that verifies both U.S. and foreign online pharmacies.
7. Safe to Buy Online
Buying through an online pharmacy is easy and relatively safe. However, with the increasing risk of data being stolen, buying online can present some danger.
Make sure that the digital pharmacy has a privacy policy in place, and that payments are made safely. Avoid storing your credit card information in case there is a leak. Look at how you and your personal information are protected in case of a data breach.
Does your new pharmacy accept all credit cards or only some? Can you only pay with a credit card, or other means of payment are also available? Is your personal information stored without your permission?
How to Choose a Digital Pharmacy
Choosing a safe, trusted, and reliable digital pharmacy is easy with these seven tips. You can be sure that your medication is FDA-approved and comes from a legitimate pharmacy.
If you are ready to buy your medication, send us your prescription, and we will ship your order within 48 hours. Or call us if you have any questions, and we would be happy to assist.
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