Avoiding Sticker Shock
The prices that you pay at your local chain store are often shockingly high, and the only choice you have is to take it or leave it. Now you have a much better alternative when you use the drug search engine at eDrugSearch.com that gives you safe access to affordable medications. The site is very easy to use, and you can find the drug you need in a few easy steps. With access to the top Canadian pharmacies, you can easily compare prices and buy your prescriptions online.
Getting the Same Drugs for Less Money
Drugs that you can order online from eDrugSearch.com are like the ones from your corner drugstore in these ways:
- have the same name
- are made by the same American manufacturers
- have the same packaging
Drugs that you find with the drug search engine are the same as your regular medications in every way, and the only difference is that they cost a fraction of the drugs that you buy locally. The site advises you of ways that you can qualify to get free asthma medications if you need them. You can have complete confidence in the reliability of the authorized pharmacies that you find at eDrugSearch.com. Licensed pharmacists assure the authenticity of drugs that are the same as the ones you always buy. You get everything that you usually do except that you do not have to pay as much for it.
Advantages of Using the Online System
Instant access to more than a thousand drugs is yours when you use the drug search engine at eDrugSearch.com. The site is 100 percent free, and there is no risk involved when you use it. From the convenience of your home or office computer, you can access the site to find the drugs that you need. To use the system, take these steps:
- Enter eDrugSearch.com in the search bar.
- When the site opens, type the name of the drug in the search box. You can also click on the first letter of the drug name so that you do not have to spell it.
- Scroll down the page to find the drug you requested.
In the few seconds that you use to locate your drugs, you find a way to save more money than you may imagine. The results page shows you the name of the pharmacy that has the drug in stock, along with the quantity, total price and the unit price. Use the Q & A tab to find answers to your questions. Canadian pharmacies that you can find with the free drug search engine have a record of reliability that is as trustworthy as your local chain drugstore. Take a few minutes to find ways to save money on your medications.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
How to Buy Drugs Online Safely
Point, click and buy whatever you want or need. Whether you are looking for a good deal on airline tickets, need groceries, want a new car or the latest best-selling book, the Internet is the go-to resource. In recent years, the door has also opened to buy prescription drugs online. National pharmacy chains and health insurance providers offer options to make purchases without traveling to the drug store. Additionally, there are legitimate Internet sites that sell prescription drugs to online shoppers. There are also, however, a number of unlicensed sites that have tapped into this shopping convenience.
Knowing how to buy drugs online safely can save time and money when you are selective in the sites that you use. One of the best ways to make sure you are paying for legitimate medicine online is to use sites like eDrugSearch.com. While you want to save time and money, doing so should never compromise your health and finances. Toxic or counterfeit drugs are readily available through many websites. Follow these tips to make sure your online shopping experience begins and ends with making quality purchases.
Take precautions and shop around – Websites such as eDrugSearch allows you to search for the type of prescription drug you need and compare various online pharmacy prices. The cost varies among different chains and could be significantly lower than the local drug store. Further, great deals are often available when you substitute generic drugs with their brand-name counterpart. However, cheap is sometimes masked as counterfeit so proceed with caution.
Buy from a legitimate online pharmacy – A sure way to learn how to buy drugs online safely is by using a licensed pharmacy. There are several prominent factors that let you know the online pharmacy is legitimate. A licensed pharmacist should be available to answer questions about the medications.
Your physician’s approval is required before filling the prescription – Typically, you or your physician will need to either fax or mail in a signed prescription. Legitimate pharmacies that sell prescription drugs online will also monitor your prescriptions to make sure no adverse drug interactions occur. Using eDrugSearch can help to ensure you are accessing the pharmacy that is good for your health.
Be skeptical of unconventional marketing techniques – Illegitimate companies rely on the art of persuasion with flashy, too good to be true advertisements. Often, these ads are delivered to our inbox with promises of cheap drugs. However, an authentic online pharmacy does not send mass emails to potential customers. Further, you might also be tempted by advertisements on respected websites. Some of these websites do not always control the ads since most are managed by a third-party. Rather than taking a chance with your health, start with a legitimate comparison website instead of sidebar advertising.
Become your personal advocate – You could bypass issues when selecting an online pharmacy and still encounter problems with the medication after it is delivered. Contact your physician immediately if you experience adverse side effect after buying drugs online.
Never take drugs that appear to be tampered with – chipped or cracked medicines should be avoided. If the labels are sloppy that could be a cautionary sign that something is wrong. Contact the online pharmacy about your concerns and follow their return policy.
Understand the pharmacy’s privacy policy – Legitimate concerns about personal information safety are important to licensed online pharmacies. Using a pharmacy that follow security practices to protect your information is part of knowing how to buy drugs online safely.
The website should have security and privacy policies prominently posted that are easy to understand. Never give personal data such as credit card numbers and medical history unless you know the website will keep the information safe.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
How to Determine Patient Safety with Online Pharmacies
The Internet has made getting prescriptions filled online a real bonus, but only if done correctly. Not all websites that offer medication follow standards set forward by the authorities in the industry like eDrugSearch.com. Ordering on the web is a practical approach to getting critical drugs, but leave many asking how to determine patient safety with online pharmacies. By following key steps, the Internet is a secure way to get the meds you need conveniently and at the best price.
Prescription Requirements
The first thing to do is check to ensure the site requires a prescription. Allowing users to order controlled substances without a proper prescription is a surefire way to spot a problem site. Most medications require a prescription by law. If you can order without one, you can’t be sure what you will get.
An online pharmacy should require more than just a patient survey when dispensing medication. This is also indicator of an unsafe business. The governing boards and eDrugSearch.com both warn that this practice is not legal.
Communication Options
One of the advantages of going to a pharmacy is being able to ask a question. There is no reason an online business would be any different. A company that only communicates by email is problematic. Look on the page for:
- A toll-free number that lets you order in person
- Valid business address in the United States
Asking for a Waiver?
A waiver means they are not taking responsibility for providing you with the proper medication. A business not willing to stand behind their service and products may be trying to hide something. A legitimate online pharmacy will not require you to sign a waiver as part of the ordering process.
Variety
Most respected online pharmacies are much like your neighborhood store. You can go to them to get almost any prescription filled. Avoid sites that only offer acne medication, pain drugs or diet pills.
Don’t Respond to Email Advertisements
The emails that promise to show you how to determine patient safety with online pharmacies and get drugs at discount prices are spamming you for business. Most of the companies that practice spamming are illegal, as well.
A reliable and safe pharmacy will avoid generating leads through the email. A qualified company gets customers via more trustworthy marketing practices such as advertising through the doctor’s office or participating in a qualified search platform like eDrugSearch.com.
Do Your Research
The Internet is a powerful tool when determining the legitimacy of any online site including a pharmacy. Do a search on the company name and review the feedback for the business. Customers taken by an online website will post to forums and complaint organizations about their experience.
Agencies that monitor the sale of medications may have warnings about online companies that violate the laws and established industry protocols, as well. An online business thrives based on their reputation. Do enough research for any online pharmacy you are considering to learn their reputation before placing orders. You can also ask at the doctor’s office if they have heard of a particular site.
Filling prescriptions online is a viable option for those who have a hard time getting to a pharmacy or who just want to compare prices to get the best deal. Do your research before ordering and rely on experts for advice on how to determine patient safety with online pharmacies. eDrugSearch.com is a free shopping comparison engine that allows consumers to compare drug prices and get safe access to affordable medications. The average eDrugSearch.com user can expect to save 40-80% off retail prices when shopping online the right way.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
There are tons of online pharmacies. They provide medications at lower costs and give you more variety than normal pharmacies. However, there are also some cons to using online pharmacies that you must know both the pros and cons of online pharmacies before choosing to use one.
Pros of Online Pharmacies
There are tons of benefits to using a licensed online pharmacy, making them a great alternative from other pharmacies. They carry the same great medications as the other pharmacies, but provide you with a few perks that you don’t see elsewhere.
Cost: Cost is a great benefit when using an online pharmacy. Many of the online pharmacies provide deals on medications that drastically cut your costs. In addition, online pharmacies often provide free shipping. The reduced price in addition to the free shipping make online pharmacies much less costly and much more appealing if you are on a budget.
Convenience: Buying prescriptions from online pharmacies is extremely easy and convenient. Rather than going out of your way to pick up your prescription while the pharmacy is open, you are able to order medications at any time and have them delivered right to your home. Even if you do not live near town or are unable to leave your home, you are still able to benefit from great prescription medications.
Information: Not only are you able to find many great prescriptions on online pharmacies, you can find a plethora of information. You are able to read about certain diseases and medications. This allows you to keep up-to-date on medication facts, letting you make an informed decision.
Private: Online pharmacies are private. You have the freedom buying the prescription you need without having to announce your problem to the world. In addition, if you have questions about any concerns you have, you are able to ask anonymous questions and avoid embarrassment.
Cons of Online Pharmacies
As with anything, there are both pros and cons of online pharmacies. The benefits to online pharmacies are great, but you have to know the negatives before choosing an online pharmacy.
Reliability: Not all online pharmacies are reliable. The prescription you need may not be available when you need it, and there may be shipping delays. Many medications have serious side effects if you miss taking a dose. In addition, not all of the online pharmacies are actually licensed. Make sure you choose an online pharmacy that is reliable and licensed.
Safety: Not all online pharmacies care about your health. Many of them are out to make money and may sell you dangerous medications. This is especially true if you do not need a prescription to buy the medication. Make sure you are buying from a reputable source before you use any online pharmacy medication.
Hidden costs: While many online pharmacies provide low costs and free shipping, some online pharmacies have hidden costs that quickly add up. Common hidden fees include ordering fees, account fees and consultation fees. Make sure to check for any hidden fees before you order.
Your information: While online pharmacies provide privacy, some of them do not have great privacy policies. They may sell your information. In addition, their protection methods may not be great, making your financial information obtainable by a hacker.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons of online pharmacies. Online pharmacies are great for providing private, easy and less expensive medications. However, make sure to choose a reliable online pharmacy that cares about your health and protects your personal information. If you are interested in online pharmacies, check out eDrugSearch to compare drug prices and get safe access to inexpensive medications.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
Do You Need a Prescription for Online Canadian Pharmacies?
As the cost of prescription medication continues to rise in the United States, individuals and families on a tight budget are looking for other options. Many turn to Canadian pharmacies for their lower price tag and relaxed rules. However, before you can obtain your medication you must ask yourself, “Do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies?”
Do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies?
Individuals wondering do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies are under a common misconception that they can legally order any drug online from Canadian pharmacies without a valid doctor’s prescription. This, however, is not true and any legitimate pharmacy must have a valid prescription before filling the prescription. However, legitimate Canadian pharmacies can legally sell medication that does not require a prescription. For example, Alli is a weight loss drug that can be purchased from an online Canadian pharmacy without a prescription because he is considered an over-the-counter medication.
Performing a search online will yield many online “pharmacies” offering medication without a valid prescription. These so-called “pharmacies” are either nothing more than a scam or are illegally selling medication without a prescription. These fraudulent pharmacies do not follow the strict laws and guidelines set by Canada, and there is no guarantee that the drugs you are purchasing are the ones you actually ordered.
Laws and Online Pharmacies
Purchasing prescription medication from a foreign country is not illegal in the United States of America and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not intercept packages containing prescription medication from Canada as long as the medication meets the following three criteria:
- Not a controlled substance
- For personal use only
- 90-day supply or less
However, it is illegal to purchase prescriptions that are not approved by the FDA even if they are approved by Health Canada.
Keep in mind that U.S. Customs randomly screens shipments coming into the U.S. to prevent bogus medications or drugs containing unapproved or dangerous ingredients from harming individuals. The FDA may make an exception in certain instances. For example, if the medication is used to treat a serious medical condition and said treatment isn’t available in the U.S. or the pharmacy prescribing the medication doesn’t produce the medication for U.S. consumers than the FDA may allow an exception.
Considerations
No matter where you decide to purchase your medication, always thoroughly research the online pharmacy before ordering. Furthermore, speak to the pharmacist at the online pharmacy to ensure you are receiving the exact medication that your doctor indicated on the prescription. When asking yourself “do you need a prescription for online Canadian pharmacies”, keep in mind that dealing with a pharmacy that doesn’t follow Canadian law you can be held accountable for obtaining the medications. Penalties can include fines and jail time.
Thankfully, eDrugSearch.com is your source for obtaining affordable medications legally and safely from U.S. and Canadian pharmacies. The resources and tools available at eDrugSearch.com helps consumers make informed choices when ordering prescription medications online.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
Are There Any Legitimate Online Pharmacies?
Despite the increasing popularity of online shopping, many people still hesitate to use the Internet to fill their medical prescriptions. Because using one batch of fake or low-quality medication can be potentially dangerous to your health, it’s only natural to fear buying drugs from pharmacies you have never been to. The fact that many online pharmacies that offer the best selection of products at the lowest prices are located abroad only makes buying prescription drugs on the Internet even more difficult. The truth is that there is no right answer to whether buying medication online is safe. It all comes down to learning the difference between legitimate online pharmacies and fake pharmacies that operate as illegal pill mills. Shopping as an educated consumer is always the best way to avoid fraud and other problems.
The Basics of Using Legitimate Online Pharmacies
Because different types of drugs have different requirements, the first thing you need to determine is whether you can purchase your medication online without breaking any laws. In general, you can purchase any over-the-counter products on the Internet without questioning the legality of your transaction. Buying prescription medication, on the other hand, is a completely different process. By law, you need to have a current prescription from a doctor in order to get it filled at an online pharmacy. You need your doctor’s written permission to get your prescription filled at a traditional pharmacy, so it makes perfect sense that legitimate online pharmacies would need to legally follow the same procedures. That’s why it’s important to avoid any online pharmacies that don’t require your doctor’s permission to sell you prescription medication. Another warning sign you need to look out for is access to fake online consultations. Some pharmacies try to get around the law that requires patients to have prescriptions from their doctors in order to buy prescription medication online by claiming that they have qualified doctors on staff who can diagnose patients over the Internet. If you are told that you can get a diagnosis and a prescription by filling out a questionnaire online, chances are that you are dealing with an illegal operation.
Tips for Shopping at Legitimate Online Pharmacies
- Get to know the laws that apply to your type of medication.
- Avoid pharmacies that don’t ask for your prescription or other important information you would normally need to provide at a traditional pharmacy.
- Make sure that the online pharmacy you use employs a qualified pharmacist to check over orders and communicate with customers.
- Only shop at legitimate online pharmacies that provide contact information in plain sight including their address and phone number.
- Use online tools and resources to find accredited licensed pharmacies that follow all legal and licensing requirements in their country.
If you need to get quality medication at an affordable price, go to eDrugSearch.com to freely compare drug prices from legitimate online pharmacies that you can trust, we guarantee it.
About this Angie’s List Expert: Cary Byrd is the president and founder of eDrugSearch.com. Based in San Antonio, eDrugSearch.com is a free cost comparison engine that helps consumers get safe access to affordable medications and advocates licensed online pharmacies as a widely accepted alternative.
eDrugSearch is a FREE drug price comparison engine that shows you how to safely buy medication online so you can save 40-75% on all your prescription medication costs – guaranteed!
If you haven’t tried eDrugSearch you need to check it out now! It’s FREE and easy, all you have to do is type in the drug name and hit the “Search” button to see how much you can save. No gimmicks, just savings.
A Richmond, Virginia, doctor named Torino Jennings is accused of signing up to 100,000 illegal prescriptions for the muscle relaxant Soma, as well as other drugs, over the past five years. The prescriptions are illegal because he issued them on behalf of an online pharmacy no prescription, without first examining the patients in person.
Many rogue online pharmacies aren’t technically “no prescription” pharmacies. They have physicians, like Jennings, who write prescriptions for patients based on what are called “remote consultations”. While the standards of remote-consultation pharmacies are generally higher than those of pharmacies that require no prescription, they do not meet the safety standards that you deserve and should demand as a patient.
Sometime back, the Washington Post ran a background check on remote-consultation physicians and reported –
A Colorado doctor had a history of alcohol abuse. An Arkansas doctor was being treated for bipolar disorder and drug dependency. A Florida doctor had twice been cited for providing inadequate care to elderly patients, one of whom died. A Texas doctor was under investigation by the FBI for suspected Medicare fraud and later committed suicide. A California doctor was disciplined for operating under a fictitious name. A North Carolina doctor had held 22 jobs in five years
When it comes to prescription requirements, there are three kinds of online pharmacies — two of which are both illegal and potentially dangerous:
1. No Prescription Pharmacies. Some Web sites will sell you prescription drugs (including controlled substances) without a prescription, a practice that is illegal in the United States. As PharmacyChecker.com warns:
Ordering from such sites is exceedingly risky to your health and could lead to unauthorized use of your credit card and/or identity theft.
2. Remote-Consultation Pharmacies. Some consumers wish to purchase drugs without having to visit a physician in person — either for convenience, to save money, or (in some cases) to obtain medications they might otherwise be unable to obtain. Remote-consultation pharmacies prescribe medications based on the patient’s self-reported medical history. Explains PharmacyChecker:
U.S. states have different laws on what constitutes a valid doctor-patient medical consultation. As an advisory, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have issued statements asserting that remote consultations are a substandard medical practice when there is no prior doctor-patient relationship, one established by an in-person physical exam.
3. Pharmacies Licensed by the U.S. or Canadian Government. Licensed online pharmacies require you to provide an original prescription, obtained from an in-person meeting with your physician. Licensed online pharmacies include major national chains, neighborhood pharmacies, and mail-order fulfillment centers in the United States and Canada.
The eDrugSearch.com database only includes licensed pharmacies that require an original doctor’s prescription, based on an in-person consultation.
With the proliferation of so-called authorities watching over health Web sites and online pharmacies today, I thought it might be helpful to write occasionally about some of the authorities that are actually worth relying upon as a consumer. These include Pharmacy Checker.com, CIPA, MIPA and IMPAC for online pharmacies, and the Health on the Net Foundation for health Web sites.
The Health On the Net (HON) Foundation is a non-profit organization created by the Geneva Ministry of Health in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded in 1995 to help both consumers and medical professionals find reliable sources of health information online.
Toward this end, the HON Foundation established the HON Code of Conduct (HONcode) for health and medical Web sites. eDrugSearch.com is proud to carry the HONcode seal on our site. As the foundation’s Web site explains:
The Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct for medical and health Web sites addresses one of Internet’s main healthcare issues: the reliability and credibility of information. The Health On the Net Foundation has elaborated the Code of Conduct to help standardise the reliability of medical and health information available on the World Wide Web.
The HONcode … defines a set of rules to … hold Web site developers to basic ethical standards in the presentation of information [and] help make sure readers always know the source and the purpose of the data they are reading.
To be certified by the HON Foundation to carry the HONcode seal on your Web site, you must submit your Web site for review. The foundation reviews Web sites to ensure they abide by the following eight principles:
1. Authoritative. Any medical or health advice provided and hosted on this site will only be given by medically trained and qualified professionals unless a clear statement is made that a piece of advice offered is from a non-medically qualified individual or organisation.
2. Complementarity. The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician.
3. Privacy. Confidentiality of data relating to individual patients and visitors to a medical/health Web site, including their identity, is respected by this Web site. The Web site owners undertake to honour or exceed the legal requirements of medical/health information privacy that apply in the country and state where the Web site and mirror sites are located.
4. Attribution. Where appropriate, information contained on this site will be supported by clear references to source data and, where possible, have specific HTML links to that data. The date when a clinical page was last modified will be clearly displayed (e.g. at the bottom of the page).
5. Justifiability. Any claims relating to the benefits/performance of a specific treatment, commercial product or service will be supported by appropriate, balanced evidence in the manner outlined above in Principle 4.
6. Transparency. The designers of this Web site will seek to provide information in the clearest possible manner and provide contact addresses for visitors that seek further information or support. The Webmaster will display his/her E-mail address clearly throughout the Web site.
7. Financial disclosure. Support for this Web site will be clearly identified, including the identities of commercial and non-commercial organisations that have contributed funding, services or material for the site.
8. Advertising policy. If advertising is a source of funding it will be clearly stated. A brief description of the advertising policy adopted by the Web site owners will be displayed on the site. Advertising and other promotional material will be presented to viewers in a manner and context that facilitates differentiation between it and the original material created by the institution operating the site.
HONcode-certified Web sites generally carry the seal on their home page. You can get confirmation of the certification simply by clicking the seal, which should take you to the site’s certification page on the HON Foundation Web site. For example, here’s ours.
