How Do I Choose the Best Online Pharmacy That I Can Actually Trust?

There are over 32,000 online pharmacies at every given time, which shows that there are plenty to choose from.

Finding a reputable online pharmacy is essential for receiving the right prescriptions and staying safe. But with so many dodgy sites, it can be difficult to know which ones are safe to buy from. Maybe that’s why you’re here; you’re currently searching for a reputable site and you’re not finding any luck.

Sounds like you? No worries; we’ve got you! Here’s how to find the best online pharmacy.

Get a Prescription First

Make sure you only buy medication if you’ve received a prescription from a healthcare professional. If you haven’t got confirmation, you could be vulnerable to an adverse reaction, which could have devastating effects on your health. Note, that prescriptions consider your overall health, age, and current conditions, so it helps physicians choose the right medication for your needs.

Learn How Online Pharmacies Work

Before investing in an online pharmacy, it’s important to know the ins and outs. These are like regular pharmacies where you buy medication, but with a delivery option. Many patients choose this over brick-and-mortar pharmacies as it’s often cheaper and offers a wide range of medication, which is perfect if you have specific needs.

Know the Potential Dangers

Regardless of the type of pharmacy you’re buying from, it’s important to understand the risks. If you use an untrustworthy site, you could receive counterfeit medication, which puts your life at risk. It also means you’ll get the wrong prescription or one that is outdated.

Know, that there are regulations in place, such as the FDA, but it’s impossible to monitor hundreds at a time.

Reliable Pharmacies Ask for a Prescription

As a general rule, every organization in the pharmaceutical industry asks patients for a doctor’s prescription before they can make a purchase. If the site doesn’t, continue your search as it proves that it’s an illegitimate business. Also, don’t buy from an online pharmacy if the staff happily writes you a prescription as it’s an illegal practice.

Check the Pharmacy Is Authorized

Before buying online medications, make sure the pharmacy is authorized. In the U.S, every site should be confirmed by the FDA while patients in the UK should only use pharmacy suppliers that have been verified by the NHS (National Health Service), England.

Not every online pharmacy will post these online, so reach out to their customer support team if you’re unsure. Note, that a reputable one should send you the confirmation swiftly and with zero hassle.

Avoid Strange Prices

As you would when buying prescription medications in person, it’s wise to shop around. If you’ve bought the same one for an extended period, you’ll have a clear idea of what the price should be. Keeping this in mind, only choose a pharmacy that sells their medication for a similar price as dodgy ones either over- or under-charge.

If this is your first time, research online so you know what to expect and ensure you receive medicine to help you maintain optimal health.

Check the Site’s Physical Address

Patients should also check that the pharmacy has a physical address. If the online retailer is in the U.S or Canada, it should be displayed on their “Contact Us” page. Note, you should know the physical street address in the area and not a P.O. box. This is because the pharmacy may be elsewhere and is only using it as a cover.

Only Buy From Where You’re Based

Another huge mistake patients make is buying from a foreign online pharmacy. Companies outside of your country are unregulated, so there’s no way to confirm that the medication is legitimate. To avoid this problem, only buy from ones in your country as it gives you peace of mind.

Verify With NABP

In the U.S, pharmacies are licensed by the National Association Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), which is a nonprofit organization that covers most states.

There’s a special program that is dedicated to verifying online pharmacies to ensure they’re credible. Thanks to this program, the NABP can screen the retailer for an array of issues, from filling prescriptions to how they protect consumer information.

Read Online Reviews

Patients should also browse through the online pharmacy’s reviews, both on Google and social media. This gives you valuable insight into whether the medication is safe and worth your money. If you’re still on the fence, directly contact those who left a review to hear their honest feedback.

Also, if your friends or family use a particular online pharmacy, ask for their recommendations. The beauty is that you can rely on your loved ones to give you an honest account, which will give you peace of mind.

Contact Your Health Insurance

If you’re still worried about using an online pharmacy, contact your health insurance provider. Your plan should offer prescription coverage and give you a list of approved online pharmacies to check out. Note, that most health insurance providers screen pharmacies before accepting them, so you know you’re getting a safe recommendation.

But it doesn’t mean that every omitted online pharmacy isn’t safe. It simply means that the insurance company and store don’t have a business agreement, so you must continue your search further.

Be Aware of Unreasonable Claims

Never buy from online pharmacies that make unrealistic claims about the medication. For instance, scammers often say a pill will “cure-all”, but this is dangerous and can put you at risk. If it sounds fishy, talk to your physician before making a purchase.

Find the Best Online Pharmacy Today

Hopefully, you’re now ready to find the best online pharmacy.

There are many factors to consider, such as choosing one with a physical address and checking that it has been licensed. You should also choose a pharmacy that gets verified by the NAPB and has a huge collection of positive reviews. Good luck!

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