These days, it’s quite common to find websites selling all sorts of medication. These so-called online pharmacies have become the go-to for people looking for a convenient way to stock-up on healthcare essentials. Apart from being able to shop at the comfort of your home, prices tend to be cheaper. Online pharmacies also offer added discretion when a customer wants to buy a specific type of medication privately. Most importantly, buying online is ideal when you live in an area with limited access to bricks and mortar pharmacies. From being able to order antibiotics easily online, you can also have other prescription meds filled up and not worry about running out of any medicine for chronic conditions.
There are hidden dangers to buying medicine online
Although there are plenty of benefits to buying from an online pharmacy, consumers are advised to take extra precautions. Not every site that claims to sell quality products are reputable. Hence, you could fall victim to the following dangers:
- Receive fake, non-FDA-approved, and low-quality drugs
- Company doesn’t follow the required protocol for shipping and handling medicine
- Get your orders mixed up and receive the wrong medication
- Bogus paid orders that never arrive
- Wrong dosage and other problems with the medicine label
Of course, anytime you’re buying online, you are at risk of experiencing these problems. That’s why every consumer should be careful in choosing an online pharmacy.
How to be a smart consumer when buying medicine online
Consider the following tips if you want to have peace of mind and confidence when purchasing medication online.
- Don’t trust a site that publishes unreasonable claims about their products. It’s easy to get curious about remedies to all kinds of health conditions sold online. However, most of these therapeutic claims are too good to be true. Experimenting with products that haven’t undergone proper clinical trials is dangerous, as the products could be harmful to your health.
- Don’t buy from an overseas site. Buying from a company overseas is also not recommended because these companies aren’t regulated. If you encounter a problem with your order, you’ll have a hard time returning the products or getting a refund for your payment.
- Make sure that the medicine you’re buying is FDA approved. If you’re buying prescription drugs, the generic name and brand should match your prescription. If the seller recommends an alternative, make sure you research whether it’s the right replacement for the brand you need. Always verify if the medicine is FDA approved to ensure your safety.
Compare the prices with your local pharmacy. If you want to save money, you need to compare the prices online with your local pharmacy. In case you have health insurance that covers the medication, check if the online pharmacy is accredited.
In conclusion, a reputable online pharmacy should always ask for your doctor’s prescription. If you’re buying over-the-counter drugs, the brands should be FDA-approved. Also, check the seller policies when filling out your order. You shouldn’t compromise your health by taking chances of buying from a seller publishing unverified claims and sell shady products.