Online pharmacies offer convenience, speed and discounts for prescription medication. But they also have some pitfalls.
An analysis by the Pharmaceutical Journal shows that a third of failing online pharmacies have links with prescribing services in other countries.
Some online pharmacies, such as GeniusRx, find the best deals on your prescriptions and ship them to your door.
Easy access to prescriptions
One of the biggest advantages that online pharmacies offer is easy access to prescription medicines. Conventional pharmacies often require a patient to physically visit the pharmacy and wait until their medicine is ready for pick up or delivery. Online pharmacies however, allow a patient to order their medication and have it delivered at their doorstep with just a few clicks!
This is very useful for patients with mobility problems, disabled persons and others who live far away from traditional pharmacies. Moreover, for those who have to work very intensively, it can save them valuable time.
However, this advantage is also accompanied by some disadvantages. For instance, it can be difficult to verify the authenticity of an online pharmacy. According to some studies, the majority of online pharmacies are based abroad and operate out of sight of US authorities.
More affordable medications
Online pharmacies offer a wide range of medicines at lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. They also charge lower transaction and shipping fees. Moreover, they are accessible 24 hours a day and offer convenience to people with limited mobility. Some of them also provide medialerts and discounts, as well as validation of prescription through licensed pharmacists.
Many of these online pharmacies claim to sell only genuine medications and ship them from countries with high safety standards. However, these claims are often misleading. The pharmacies may not be located in the country they say they are in, and they may disappear at the slightest hint of regulatory action.
Consumers can find more affordable medications in online pharmacies, but they should remember to factor in additional costs such as shipping, consultation, and subscription fees. Furthermore, they should consider their insurance coverage before purchasing medicines from an online pharmacy. Those without insurance should choose a company that accepts their insurance or offers discounted medications to save money.
Convenience
With hundreds of web sites offering to sell medications, it is important for consumers to know how they can recognize legitimate pharmacies. Some countries have implemented methods to identify online pharmacies, such as a license (n=30) or a logo. Others have also included a national health insurance number or other means of verifying the prescription to make sure the patient is eligible for treatment.
In addition to dispensing medications, some online pharmacies also offer medical consultations and automatic refill services. In fact, some even allow you to talk to a pharmacist via video chat, which could be particularly useful for patients with complicated or chronic conditions.
Despite these benefits, online pharmacies may not replace brick-and-mortar drugstores anytime soon.
Security
Online pharmacies offer a variety of different security measures to protect their customers’ privacy. Many of these security measures include encryption and other forms of digital protection. Additionally, many pharmacies have customer care representatives who are available to answer questions and concerns twenty-four hours a day. This is especially beneficial for elderly patients and women who may find it difficult to travel or leave their homes to visit a traditional pharmacy.
Despite the benefits of online pharmacies, they are not without their drawbacks. Respondents from most countries indicated that lack of counselling and face-to-face interaction, limited or no regulation, and a greater risk of self-medication were the most common weaknesses of online pharmacies.
Before purchasing medicines from an online pharmacy, make sure the website is secure by checking for a green lock in the address bar and reviewing the site’s privacy policies. You can also check whether the pharmacy is licensed in your state by using a tool on the FDA’s BeSafeRx website.
