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Cheap Medications: Is It Better to Buy Medication Online?
Prescription drugs in the United States are over 2.5 times more expensive than in other countries. When you pair that with the lack of socialized healthcare, Americans are paying ridiculous amounts of money for necessary medications (some of which are life-saving).
The idea of cheap medications is unheard of for most Americans. Even in states with affordable healthcare for underprivileged groups, the line for free or cheap medications is so low that the average person, even if they’re struggling, won’t qualify.
This is why so many people are starting to turn to online pharmacies. But is using an online pharmacy safe? What are the benefits of making the switch if you’re already comfortable with your brick-and-mortar pharmacy (and your doctor)?
Let’s talk about it. Read on to learn all about why you should consider starting to order medication online.
Is Buying Medication Online Safe?
This is the first question that many people have when they’re considering buying cheap medication. We’ve always been taught that if things seem too good to be true, they probably are. We’ve also been taught that you get what you pay for.
In reality, we’ve been so conditioned to accept unreasonable medication costs that these things don’t really apply. The medications that you’d get from your local pharmacy are no different from the medications they get in Canada. They even have the same brand-name medications (though their generic medications may vary depending on the pharmacy).
It is important that you find a reliable online pharmacy. Some online pharmacies actually operate under the radar. Finding a well-regarded online pharmacy will mean that you’re safe.
Common signs of an illegal online pharmacy include:
- Poor communication
- A lack of information about available medications
- No requirement for prescriptions
Will Your Doctor Allow You to Order Medication Online?
Your doctor should allow you to order medication online, but this is case-by-case. You can also just upload your prescription to the online pharmacy’s website.
You can transfer prescriptions from your local pharmacy to the online pharmacy as well, which may make things easier on your end. This way, there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings or discrepancies when you place your order.
Do Online Pharmacies Have Real On-Staff Pharmacists?
A common misconception is that online pharmacies don’t actually employ pharmacists. This isn’t the case. As long as it’s a legitimate online pharmacy, they will have several pharmacists on staff who will be available to dispense your medication and answer any questions you may have.
A good pharmacist often knows more about specific medications (and medication interactions) than many doctors. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Why Is Medication Cheaper Online?
So why is ordering medication online so much cheaper?
If you’re ordering from Canada, it’s because their healthcare costs overall are lower. Canada provides free healthcare to all of its citizens (at the time of this article). While the average American pays over $1,200 per year on medication (and often much higher), many Canadians pay nothing at all.
There are also regulations in Canada that prevent price-gouging. There are very few protections against gouging in the United States.
You will not get free medication from online pharmacies because you are not a Canadian citizen, but they are able to keep prices low even for Americans.
Benefits of Ordering Medication Online
So why would you want to make an effort to switch from an in-person pharmacy to an online one? There are plenty of reasons that people are making the switch every day.
Here are a few common reasons that people are choosing to abandon their traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies for a better alternative.
More Accessible
This is a huge benefit of ordering medication online instead of going to your local pharmacy.
Many local pharmacies offer mail delivery, but this isn’t true for all of them. That means that you have to go out of your way to get to your medications. This isn’t an option for everyone.
Some people aren’t available during their pharmacy’s open hours. If your pharmacy is on limited hours, you may have to rush after work or school, or you may not be able to pick up your prescription on the day you need to.
Getting to the pharmacy at all can be difficult. If you don’t have a car or access to reliable public transportation, getting to a local pharmacy is harder for you. This is also true if you have mobility problems, chronic pain, or even mental health concerns.
Online pharmacies improve accessibility for the people who need it most. You can get your medications delivered right to your front door (or mailbox). You’ll be able to access them when you need them.
More Affordable
As we mentioned before, ordering from an online pharmacy is almost always going to be more affordable than ordering from a local pharmacy unless you have the best insurance.
Even with insurance, you have to pay for medications, often at unreasonable prices. You’ll find that for many (if not all) medications, you’ll see lower prices online.
For most people, cost is a huge factor when it comes to buying medications. Even people who require life-saving medication sometimes ration it because they’re unable to afford the full dose.
Your wealth shouldn’t determine your ability to pay for medication.
Quick Contact With Pharmacists
At a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, you’re able to talk to someone when you’re at the pharmacy itself. It can be more challenging to contact them via phone and many pharmacies don’t allow online communication when it comes to restricted medications.
Your online ph has a full team of pharmacists available for you when you need them. Whether you’re worried about a medication interaction, you’re wondering when your next refill is available, or you need to change your address online, you’ll be able to contact someone within a reasonable timeframe.
Wide Range of Medications
Small local pharmacies may not have immediate access to all medications. If you take something truly uncommon or unique, your chances are even worse that you’ll be able to find what you need easily.
At an online pharmacy, you’ll have a wider range of options. Not only are there plenty of generics, but brand-name medications are also easier to access if you need them.
This also allows you to compare medications. Even if you can’t order anything that requires a prescription without your doctor signing off on it, you can potentially have ideas to bring to your doctor during your next appointment.
You’re also able to see the specifics of each medication before you receive it (which is difficult, if not impossible, at a standard pharmacy). This could be a game-changer.
For some people, even switching between generic medications with slightly different makeups can make a difference. Even though generics are “technically” the same as other generics and brand-name medications, there could be a filler ingredient that changes its effectiveness for you.
You’ll be able to identify the differences more easily when you see the medications online (and you can ask the pharmacist for help).
Easy Refills
Refills are a breeze when you use a reliable online pharmacy. All you have to do is go on your account and order a refill. As long as you’re due for the refill, the pharmacy will start working on your order right away.
This isn’t always the case with normal pharmacies. Some pharmacies even send your refill back if you’re unable to get to it in a certain number of days, meaning you have to go through the process again.
Privacy and Security
You have complete and total privacy at your reliable online pharmacy.
All pharmacies are private, but if you’re visiting one in person, other people around you may hear what you’re ordering. While this isn’t a problem for everyone, it may be a concern for people who are taking medications they’d prefer to keep quiet.
The only people that will know about your prescriptions are your pharmacists.
Do You Need Cheap Medications?
If you’re in need of cheap medications, it might be time to make the switch to online pharmacies. Your medications will be more affordable, private, and far easier to access.
Online Canadian pharmacies are safe and reliable. You deserve to be able to access your medications without any roadblocks, even if you don’t have a lot of money to spare.
If you’re ready to order medication online, we want to help you. Contact us for more information or see our catalog of available medications today.