onlinepharmacyglobal.com

The Internet has much to offer, including another way to have your prescriptions filled. Online pharmacies have grown greatly in popularity over the years. They offer a larger stock of medications, especially among generic options. They also offer special discounts to encourage you to use their pharmacy. Finally, they offer a great deal of convenience. Rather than having to go to the store to have your prescription filled, you can simply have your doctor send the order to the online pharmacy of your choice, and they will mail you the medications.

The Global Pharmacy

With the advent of the Internet, you are no longer limited to your local pharmacy. Medications can now be purchased through pharmacies that may be operating overseas. These pharmacies typically represent a substantial savings over the local options. However, care must be taken when ordering through them. Pharmacies from overseas are not bound by the FDC, and there is a risk that the drugs purchased could be counterfeit. These medications may not be as effective as they should be, opening up the risk for medical complications. They also could potentially cause dangerous interactions with other medications you take because there is not always a trained pharmacist checking the orders from these pharmacies.

The Legal Issues with Online Pharmacies from Overseas

Controlled substances, such as pain medications and those for treatment of ADHD, must be purchased from a licensed pharmacist, and cannot come from overseas. Any medication for which there is a domestic version must be purchased through domestic pharmacies, though they can be online.

When Buying Online, Go Domestic

The bottom line is that, while it’s tempting to buy from overseas pharmacies to save money, it’s not worth it. To do so is breaking the law, and potentially placing your own life in danger. However, there are many online pharmacies operating with the United States that can safely fill your prescription with the proper medication, and save you money in the process.

Benefits of Online Pharmacies

• Greater Variety – There are some prescription medications that are available in generic, but your local pharmacy may not carry them. The popular ADHD medication Focalin, for example, is available in generic form. However, most local pharmacies do not have a high demand for the generic and so don’t carry it, especially in smaller town. Going through an online pharmacy will give you access to a larger list of medications, as well as their generic alternatives.

• The Same Medications – The same medications offered at your local drug store are found through online pharmacies.

• Convenience – There is something to be said for not having to stand in line at the pharmacy. Simply mail in the order form, or fax it in, and wait for the medications to arrive in the mail. This is handy for people of all ages, but especially those who have to wait for a relative or friend to drive them places.

• Private- Online pharmacies are bound by the same laws governing privacy as local pharmacies. However, they also offer an additional layer of privacy. There is no concern about running into someone you know at the pharmacy, and questions can be asked online with complete privacy. Even with the little windows and privacy shades at traditional pharmacies, there is always the concern that prying ears can hear what is being said.

• Money Savings – Many insurance companies like online pharmacies, especially when they sponsor and run the pharmacy. They want their clients to utilize the online pharmacies, or mail-order pharmacies, and so they offer special money saving deals. The most common one is the “Buy 2, Get 3” deal. Clients ordering medication that is taken on an ongoing basis place an order for three months worth of medications, but they are only required to pay for two months supply. This can add up to a substantial savings over a year.

• The Pharmacist on Staff- Domestic pharmacies operating online have pharmacists on staff to check the history and ask questions. If they have any questions or concerns, they will contact you. Just as your regular neighborhood pharmacist is expected to catch potential interactions that could harm you, so is the online pharmacist.

Disadvantages of Online Pharmacies

• The Wait- Prescriptions filled at the local store up the road can be filled in as little as one hour. Online pharmacies typically require anywhere from one to three weeks to get the prescription filled. While this is fine when ordering medications that are taken on a regular basis, it makes the system ineffective for antibiotics and any other medications that need to be taken immediately.

• The Pharmacist on Staff- Ideally, all your medications should be filled at the same pharmacy to facilitate catching potentially dangerous interactions. When you are filling some prescriptions locally and other prescriptions online, the pharmacist may not be able to catch potential problems. Also, the pharmacist will not get to know you the way a local pharmacist can.

• Controlled Substances- These are some of the most expensive prescriptions to fill, and any filling pharmacy must have the actual paper prescription. These prescriptions, by law, cannot be faxed or called in. The physical form must be mailed. While choosing online pharmacies can save you money, the delay to mail in the script can be frustrating. If there is a problem and that paper script is lost in the mail, getting another script from the doctor can be problematic.

There are definite benefits to using online pharmacies. Whether it is the right choice for you depends largely on what your goals are. If you are strictly trying to save money, an online pharmacy can be the best way to do it. If the convenience of only having to go as far as the mailbox appeals to you, then an online pharmacy is the way to go. Finally, online pharmacies can offer you a higher level of privacy then traditional drugstores.