The Mom Kind 
It’s no secret that the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. has been increasing for the last several years. According to current research, it’s also not going to stop expanding any time soon.
Even if you have health insurance, rising drug costs could be setting you back quite a bit, especially if you or your family members rely on several different medications.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to save money on prescriptions, such as ordering prescription drugs online.
If you’ve been curious about buying prescription drugs online but aren’t sure how to do it, then you’ve come to the right place. Explained below is everything you need to know.
Order Prescription Drugs Online Today
Why Buy Prescription Drugs Online?
In addition to helping you save money, there are some other key benefits you can enjoy when you shop your prescriptions online, including the following:
- Save time
- Compare prices more easily
- Order medications in a more discrete way
- Get medicines without leaving the house
This last benefit can be especially helpful if you’re someone who has a hard time getting out and driving to the pharmacy.
Perhaps you’re an older adult who cannot drive, or you might have young kids who make it difficult for you to go places without getting them ready first. For people in situations like this, ordering prescriptions online and having them delivered to your door is a total lifesaver.
Know the Risks
There are plenty of benefits that come with ordering your prescriptions online. There are some risks that you ought to know about, though.
For example, as the popularity of online pharmacies has increased, there’s also been an increase in the distribution of counterfeit drugs.
Many illegitimate online pharmacies have popped up over the last couple of years, and those who created them have tried to take advantage of individuals who want to save money on their expensive medications.
Ordering prescriptions online can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. As long as you’re an informed consumer, though, there’s no reason why you can’t stay safe while getting the prescriptions you need.
How to Order Prescription Drugs Online: Do Your Research
If you want to stay safe while ordering prescription drugs online, you need to make sure you’re doing plenty of research before working with a particular pharmacy.
Many illegitimate online pharmacies have convincing websites that could trick the average person. If you know what to look for, though, you’ll have a much easier time separating the wheat from the chaff.
The following are some key indicators that the online pharmacy you’re using is the real deal:
They Require Prescriptions
If you come across an online pharmacy that doesn’t require a prescription from a doctor, that’s a huge red flag. They should require you to submit your prescription and should evaluate it before taking payment and sending medication your way.
They Require Your Medical History
The pharmacy should require you to submit some information about your medical history, too. This step should be part of their verification process to ensure you truly need the medication you’re ordering.
They Have a Pharmacist on Staff
All legitimate online pharmacies will have at least one pharmacist on staff at all times. You should be able to talk to them over the phone if you call and ask. If they don’t allow this, that’s a sign that they’re probably not legitimate.
They Have Their License Listed
A trustworthy online pharmacy should have nothing to hide. This includes displaying their license on their website to verify that everything is above board. If you can’t find any evidence of a license, don’t trust them with your personal information or your prescriptions.
They Have a Detailed Website
The pharmacy’s website should also feature some other vital details.
For example, do they have clear contact information (including a real physical address, not a PO Box) listed? Do they have information about their privacy policy and shipping fees contained as well?
What’s the Deal with Canadian Pharmacies?
Lots of people order their prescriptions online through Canadian pharmacies. Canadian pharmacies are known for having much more affordable prescription drug prices than American pharmacies.
Some people are wary of ordering from a foreign website. There’s no need to fear, though.
As long as you ensure that the pharmacy has been verified by a certifying body, such as the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, you can trust that the medications you’re getting from them are legitimate.
Make sure the pharmacy checks all the other boxes outlined above, as well.
Check Your Deliveries
It’s essential to get more info on a particular online pharmacy before you decide to order from them. Don’t forget to check your delivery once it shows up on your front porch, though.
If you inspect your medications before you take them, you can determine whether or not they’re legitimate and avoid the adverse side effects that can occur when you take counterfeit drugs.
The following are some key things to look for when you’re inspecting your medications:
- Is your name printed and spelled correctly on the label?
- Is the name of the medication correct?
- Does the dosage on the label match your prescription?
- Is the packaging intact and free from signs of tampering?
- Are the drugs the same size, color, and shape as the drugs you’re used to getting?
- Is there are clear expiration date listed?
If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, it’s likely that your prescription is safe to take. If you have questions or concerns, you can always contact a pharmacist and get their opinion first.
Order Prescription Drugs Online Today
Buying prescription drugs online is an easy way to save money while still getting the medication you and your family members need to feel your best.
The idea of shopping online for medication might seem intimidating at first. However, if you follow these steps, you’ll have no trouble getting what you need and staying safe in the process.
Do you want to learn more about saving money on other healthcare costs? If so, check out this post on Let’s Get Checked to take control of your healthcare costs and needs!
