Being able to quickly find and read reviews of the products that interest us is very important since reviews can truly influence the decisions we make. We all appreciate the reviewer who takes the time to post their straightforward, honest comments and ratings to help us make better choices. You can easily repay this favor by rating and reviewing the products you use so that others can benefit from your experience. Here at eDrugsearch.com, we give all our visitors the opportunity to not just read reviews of a great variety of medicines, but to easily post their own ratings and reviews themselves, helping our medication ratings and review database continue to grow. Learning how to rate your medicine is actually quite easy.
To rate and review your medication, visit eDrugsearch.com and enter the name of the medicine you wish to review. Once you enter your medicine’s name and click the search button, you will be taken to the medication’s page. In the medication’s page, click the link to “Write a Review” and follow the instructions on the page or simply just click this link: http://reviews.edrugsearch.com/4640/writereview.htm
Once in this page, you are ready to proceed on how to rate your medicine.
How to Rate Your Medicine
Rating and reviewing your medicine is easy can be accomplished in a few, simple steps. We have kept the process simple to encourage people to review their medications so that everyone else can benefit from your knowledge of the medication.
- Click on the number of stars you wish to award the medication. You can award the produce one to five stars, ranging from poor to excellent.
- For each of the following four categories, click on the rating you wish to award it, from poor to excellent. The categories are overall satisfaction, effectiveness, side effects, ease of use.
- Decide on whether you want to recommend the product and click on the appropriate circle.
- Begin your actual review of the product. Write a summary of the review, then the complete review on the appropriate boxes. Follow the writing guidelines carefully so that your review meets our standards and we can publish it. The guidelines include writing a review that remains focused on the product, not on customer service, not mentioning competitor’s names or prices paid, and not disclosing any personal information such as full name.
- Choose any video or images you want to include as part of your review. You are allowed up to 4 images with a 5mb limit for each for your review.
- Add any products related to your medication that you wish to recommend.
- Provide your personal information, which includes a nickname, your location, your age and your gender. You need to also choose a term to describe yourself from the dropdown menu.
- Complete the “additional feedback to customer service” section by filling out the short survey and the answering the question.
Rate, Review and Win Sweepstakes!
Once you learn how to rate your medicine, you will find yourself visiting us more and more often to both read and review your 
medications, and as reward for your involvement, we are having a Ratings and Reviews Sweepstakes that makes it easy to win a $25 gift certificate from Amazon simply for visiting the page and reviewing a medication. Each review becomes an automatic entry. All you have to do is wait for the beginning of each month to see if you have won the gift certificate. The random drawing will be held at the beginning of each month with all the entries submitted the preceding month participating. Four winners will be chosen and notified via email. Each new, original, valid review will generate a new entry, as long as the review does not come from a medication the user has previously reviewed. The contest is open to users 18 years and older, residing in the United States at the time of the entry.
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.
I thought since it was Friday I would post this fun video – hope you enjoy it!
*I recommend you play this video on a loop, all day long!
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 a Canadian Pharmacy Can Help You Offset Drug Price Hikes
Drug prices in the United States of America have risen significantly over the past year. In 2012, the rise in drug price was 3.6 percent, double that of the inflation rate reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (1.7 percent). 25 million Americans suffer a decline in health by their own admissions due to being unable to pay the cost of medicines.
While prescription drug prices have flown out the window, the costs of visits to the doctor’s office and undergoing tests prescribed by the physician have fallen. The costs associated with renting a room in a nursing home has also fallen. Out of the prescriptions the doctor’s office hands out, 150 million are not filled due to the price hikes.
These rises are in line with the increased production of brand drugs. The production costs of brand drugs are often filled by insurance companies. They are much more costly than generic drugs; generic drugs, produced by many companies, cost one-fourth of the amount of brand drugs if not less.Nexium, Abilify and Crestor are three drugs which show the price hikes best. The price of treating a heartburn using Nexium rose by 7.8 percent in 2012 to $262 per prescription. The price of lowering one’s cholesterol levels using Crestor rose by 9.7 percent to $193. Treating bipolar disorder using Abilify was incredibly difficult; the price increased by 10.4 percent to $642.N.
Lee Rucker, a pharmaceutical expert at an organization which takes care of the retired, AARP, perhaps puts it best:“This price system is a blessing as well as a frustration”Rucker justified her statement by adding that while high prices aid the market for innovative drugs, the lengthy patents of these drugs can cause problems. Also, she feels physicians are often not informed too well about the cost and effectiveness of a new drug. Furthermore, Rucker’s statement about physicians can be proved by the fact that due to being unable or simply refusing to purchase prescription drugs, Americans add $290 billion to healthcare costs.
Hence, many people resort to ordering prescription drugs online to purchase them at a cost they can afford. Also, many find ordering online convenient as it saves them time which would otherwise be spent in queues waiting for their drugs. One such website to order drugs in to save oneself from price hikes is eDrugSearch.com. Through this website, drugs can be purchased from a trustworthy Canadian pharmacy.
A Canadian pharmacy is more likely to offer a lower drug price due to a differing national health policy from that of the US. These pharmacies protect the identity of the buyer by setting up strong privacy policies. A Canadian pharmacy might even offer details to help the patient learn more about the drug and the way it interacts with the body as well as with other drugs. Disreputable pharmacies which do not require prescriptions are not part of eDrugSearch.com.
When ordering from online pharmacies, one must keep additional costs such as ordering fees, account fees, consultation fees and shipping fees in mind. Prescriptions which a Canadian pharmacy which is a member of eDrugSearch.com fills might be of two kinds- traditional and remote-consultation. Traditional prescriptions are the ones which are given out by a doctor after the patient comes in personally for a consultation. A remote consultation prescription is filled in by a distant physician who checks relevant patient information.
Hence, ordering drugs from a certified Canadian pharmacy via eDrugSearch.com is definitely an option for those seeking cheaper drugs without compromising their own safety. Discount pharmacies and wholesalers provide drugs at acceptable costs too. The website, eDrugSearch.com provides customers with latest prices.
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.
Why is Medicine Cheaper in Canada?
Canadian consumers and the Canadian federal government approach the production and distribution of prescription medications in a different way than Americans. Canadian pharmaceutical companies are subject to strict guidelines that determine pricing for prescription drugs; they are essentially required to sell medications for a fair and reasonable price.
How does the Canadian government regulate the cost and production of prescription medications?
When asking the question Why is medicine cheaper in Canada? it is necessary to take into account the role of the federal government in the Canadian health care system. To protect Canadian consumers, the government has established an organization known as the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). The PMPRB was created specifically to regulate prescription drug prices. Before a new prescription drug becomes available to the public, the PMPRB compares the new drug with seven other comparable medications. The cost of these seven drugs is averaged to determine the price at which the new drug can be sold. On average, this price falls 5% below the international median cost of the medication.
In addition to controlling the pricing of prescription medications, the Canadian government has banned advertising by prescription drug companies. This means that consumers in Canada experience little to no exposure to name brand medications. This has a twofold effect on the price of prescription drugs in Canada: consumers are more likely to choose the cheaper generic version of medications and, since they are not spending money on advertising, pharmaceutical companies are able to charge less for their products.
Another government regulation that enables prescription drugs to be priced lower in Canada relates to the approach to patents. In Canada, pharmaceutical companies do not need to wait for a patent to expire on a name brand drug before they begin to produce a generic version of it. This allows companies to quickly create generic brands that can then be put on the market at a cheaper price.
How does Canada’s health care system affect the price of prescription drugs?
The Canadian health care system allows consumers to be reimbursed for the cost of many prescription medications. The drugs that are eligible for reimbursement are typically the cheaper generic versions of more expensive brands. Since most Canadians will choose to buy prescription drugs that they know will be reimbursed, there is virtually no market for expensive brand name drugs in Canada.
How does the exchange rate between American and Canadian currency affect the price of prescription drugs?
Why is medicine cheaper in Canada? Well, since the U.S. dollar is worth more than the Canadian dollar, Canadian products are cheaper for Americans to buy. The exchange rate even applies when purchasing Canadian products online; this means that Americans can buy already low-priced Canadian prescription medications for even less money than consumers using Canadian dollars.
How can I legally purchase prescription medications from Canada?
By using the website eDrugSearch.com. eDrugsearch makes it possible to safely compare prescription drug prices of various prescriptions available from licensed Canadian pharmacies. This service is free and easy to use.
eDrugSearch offers:
- a safe, legal way to purchase prescription drugs from international pharmacies
- a search engine specifically designed for Americans looking to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies
- a guarantee that each pharmacy represented on the site has undergone a rigorous screening test; this process requires pharmacies to provide proof of government licensing from the country in which they are based and documentation of any third party accreditation
- the most current, up to date prices for prescription drugs
- detailed information about every medication offered on the website
In order to purchase medications online from these pharmacies, it is necessary to have a prescription from a licensed doctor.
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.
Why Should I Order My Medication Online?
Going to a pharmacist in person for your medication can be time consuming and difficult, especially if you suffer from any physical ailments or if you are seriously ill and stuck in bed. Fortunately, there are licensed online pharmacies that can deliver your medication right to your door. Learning how to order medication online may seem tricky at first, but it is actually much quicker and easier than driving to a pharmacy in person. Aside from saving you the hassle of driving to the pharmacy, ordering your medication online is also cheaper; 50-80% cheaper than U.S. retail prices. Online pharmacies do not have the overhead of brick and mortar stores so they can offer the same medicine at a lower price.
How to Order Medication Online: Getting Started
When you want to know how to order medication online, the best place to start is eDrugSearch.com. eDrugSearch is a website that allows you to search for the medication that you need, then it compares the prices for all your prescription drugs at all of the top rated online Canadian pharmacies in order to find you the best deals. The great thing about using the site eDrugSearch to find your online pharmacy is that the site utilizes a rigorous screening process for all of the pharmacies listed and verified user reviews, so you never have to worry about who you are ordering your medication from. It is just as safe as going to your local neighborhood pharmacist.
How Do I Order My Medication?
Once you have found the medicine that you need through eDrugSearch at the price that fits your budget then you are ready to place your order. Even though you are ordering medication online, if the drug that you are ordering requires a prescription then you will still need to provide the online pharmacy proof of your prescription. Most online pharmacies will try to make this as easy as possible for you and allow patients to mail, fax or sometimes even e-mail them your prescription. Do not try to order controlled substances or drugs classified as scheduled. It is also a good idea to limit your orders to a three month supply or less. Following these guidelines will help to ensure that your order does not get delayed and to prevent incurring any penalties.
How to Order Medication Online from an International Pharmacy
If you choose to order your medication from an international pharmacy then you should follow these guidelines and tips in order to stay safe. Every country has somewhat different codes that they must follow when producing medication, so you want to make sure that the pharmacy you are ordering from follows good health practices.
Here are some things to look out for:
- An agency equal to the FDA that monitors all drugs produced to ensure they are safe for consumption.
- National laws and standards regarding labeling medication.
- National laws requiring a prescription for certain medications.
- Laws requiring that pharmacies follow specific guidelines regarding handling and dispensing drugs.
- The country should also follow Good Manufacturing Practices when creating pharmaceuticals.
Ordering online from international pharmacies may help patients without insurance save some money, but ordering domestically within the United States has many benefits. These benefits include cheaper generic drugs and more affordable shipping rates. There is also the added benefit and peace of mind that the Food and Drug Administration regulate the United States pharmaceutical drug supply. The FDA holds clinical trials to ensure the safety of any drug made available in the United States and they also issue recalls whenever new information comes out concerning a potentially unsafe drug.
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.
When childproofing their home, most parents know to keep medications out of their child’s reach. However, many accidental poisonings still occur every year despite parental precautions, and the majority of these emergency room visits are related to medications that a child got into when a parent or caregiver was not looking. Therefore, it is important for every parent to pay attention to these new tips regarding medication safety tips for kids so they can ensure their child is safe from the threat of an accidental poisoning.
Store Medications Out of Sight
For most children, out of sight does mean out of mind. Therefore, one of the best steps parents can take to prevent an accidental poisoning is to store all medications out of their child’s sight. Ideally, this storage space should be in a high cabinet in a room in which children have limited access such as a master bathroom or the kitchen.
Lock it Up
Simply storing medications out of sight may not be enough to deter a curious child. In fact, knowing that a cabinet is forbidden may pique a child’s curiosity. Parents of climbers should especially be aware that a high cabinet may not stop a child from climbing on countertops of pulling out a ladder. Therefore, installing a childproof lock on any cabinets with medication can ensure that little hands will never get a hold of dangerous medications.
Check Purses and Bags
When checking their home to make sure it complies with medication safety tips for kids guidelines, many parents forget to check their purses and bags. However, most adults keep some type of medication in their purse for pain relief or to treat a health condition. Because children love to explore the items in a person’s bag or purse left unattended for even a moment, this can set the stage for an accidental poisoning. When entertaining guests, parents should always provide a safe place for them to store their belongings to avoid children coming across medication that a parent may not even be aware is in their home.
Watch for Overlooked Medications
Many commonly used items are overlooked as medications, yet they can be just as dangerous as a prescription drug if ingested by a child. Therefore, parents should scan their home environment to determine if there are any over-the-counter medications within their child’s reach. Diaper rash creams, eye drops and teething gel are a few of the most common medications that are often viewed as innocuous. However, each one of these should be treated with the same high level of caution as prescription medications.
Be a Vigilant Visitor
When visiting family and friends, parents may need to educate their loved ones regarding medication safety for kids. Often, those who are not accustomed to having children in their home may not have childproofed their medication storage areas. This is especially a concern for children who visit their grandparents because many older adults take prescription medications that may not always have childproof caps. Therefore, parents should ask about any medications that are in the house and keep an eye out for any that may have been left out.
Practice Proper Dosing
Parents can begin teaching young children about medication safety by setting a good example. Always explain to children that they are taking medication and what it is being used to treat. Then, parents should always use the proper dosing procedures for that specific medication. Ideally, the dosing device that is packaged with the medication is the best way to administer medication. Although a medication may state to use a tablespoon, it is important to note that kitchen spoons can vary widely.
Be Careful with Disposal
While most parents are careful to lock up new medications, it is common for them to forget to dispose of medicine properly. Often, they will discard expired or unnecessary medications by simply tossing them in the trash. However, the prospect of finding something new can lead a child to pick up medicine out of the trash can. To prevent this from occurring, parents should always dispose of their medication in a way that will limit their child’s access.
Know the Number for Poison Control
Even with the best of precautions, it is always possible that a child might experience a medication mishap. Therefore, it is essential to have the number for poison control listed in an easy-to-find location in the home such as the kitchen or by the phone. Then, a parent or caregiver can call 1-800-222-1222 for help at the first suspicion that a child may have inadvertently taken medication.
Medication safety tips for kids is an essential component of any childproofing plan. Whether a child is at home or visiting a loved one, it is important for parents and caregivers to keep medications out of their reach. By focusing on keeping medications in a locked and inaccessible location and teaching children about the importance of medication safe, accidental poisonings can be prevented to ensure the health and safety of children.
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 Properly Dispose of Medications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) give guidelines on the proper disposal of medications. Before, consumers were advised to dispose of medications by flushing them down the toilet. This is no longer recommended. Here are tips on how to properly dispose of medications.
Guidelines for proper disposal of prescription drugs
- Unless otherwise instructed in the package, put prescription drugs in sealed plastic bags and throw them in a trash. If possible, mix the pills with an unattractive substance such as coffee grounds. This will prevent pets and children from consuming the drugs in case they find them.
- Flush liquid medication down the toilet. However, do this only if it says on the label that it’s safe to do so or a pharmacist confirms that it is an acceptable disposal method for the drug. Flushing drugs down the toilet is sometimes encouraged to prevent medications from contaminating water supplies. Flushing is also recommended for drugs that would place kids or pets at serious risk if swallowed.
- Dispose the drugs at hazardous waste depots. This is only recommended for certain drugs. Before disposing call a pharmacist or municipality for more information about the medication.
- Take advantage of drug take-back days in the community. This service is provided in some places. It is aimed at encouraging people to drop off unused prescription drugs to be disposed of safely by trained personnel.
- Before throwing out the container containing the medication, scrape the name and any other identifying information off the label for protection of privacy.
How to Dispose of Old Prescription Drugs
- Gather all the outdated drugs in their containers. Also, collect all medication that will not be used including unused pain medication, antibiotics and over the counter medication.
- Pour rubbing alcohol into the drug containers until full. Once full, the medication will start to dissolve. Remove labels from the bottles or use a black permanent marker to wipe out the personal information on the labels. Place the containers into an air tight bag.
- Throw the bags in the garbage. It is not safe to dispose of medication by flushing it down a commode. Proper disposal of medication is important to avoid water contamination and prevent them getting into the wrong hands.
- Syringes with unused drugs should also be disposed of properly. Contact the local sanitation authorities and find out the program available for disposal of such.
Significance of Proper Drug Disposal
Knowing how to properly dispose of medications is important because it protects people, animals and the environment. Children and animals may find drugs thrown in the trash and consume them.
Concern about water contamination as a result of flushing medication led to the recommendations against flushing of drugs, although the majority of water pollution from drugs comes from people passing drugs out through their bodies. Proper disposal of medicines also deters teenagers and adults from misusing drugs or using drugs that are past their expiry dates.
Considerations
According to the FDA, certain drugs come with instructions on how they should be disposed of. Powerful painkillers can be dangerous to children and pets and may even be abused by some people if not properly disposed of. In such cases, flushing is considered the safest method of disposal. Inhalers used to relieve breathing problems are considered hazardous waste and should be properly disposed of.
Assistance
Drug take-back programs are available in some areas. The FDA encourages individuals to take advantage of such programs. Pharmacists can also assist individuals seeking information on the proper disposal of drugs.
Important Tips
- Never give unused drugs to another person. Drugs may be harmless to one person but harmful on others.
- Ensure children and pets cannot access medication stored in a house.
- Go through the medicine cabinet after every 6 months or so to check for out dated drugs that need disposal.
- Never use expired or out dated drugs. Expired drugs are those whose expiry dates have past while out dated drugs are medications that are no longer prescribed for certain illnesses. A drug can be out dated but not necessarily expired.
- People should never use medication if they do not know what they are or what they are for.
- Consult physicians before using medication.
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.
Is It Legal to Buy Prescription Drugs from Canada?
Many Americans save money by getting their prescription drugs from Canada, whose government regulates prices. Initially, many people who bought their prescriptions from Canada took organized bus trips to the country for the purpose. Nowadays, more people order their medicine from online Canadian pharmacies.
There’s no question that Americans save a lot of money by ordering their medicines from Canadian pharmacies. In some cases, drugs from Canada cost as little as one-fifth the price found inside America. However, some wonder if this might be too good to be legal. So is it really legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada? The answer isn’t so simple, but the activity is tolerated. Below is more information on the subject.
Tolerance of Non-Controlled Medications
The Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 made it illegal for anyone besides manufacturers to take prescription drugs into the U.S. However, officials have since begun to allow patients to bring prescription drugs into the country as long as they aren’t controlled substances. Personal use is what is tolerated, so officials allow only a three-month supply to be carried in, according to the director of pharmacy affairs at the FDA. The same holds true for online orders, with three-month supplies being tolerated.
More About Online Orders
Some patients still have questions about the legality of ordering prescription drugs online. After all, the law says that ordering drugs from foreign pharmacies is illegal. However, the government tolerates the activity with up to three-month supplies of drugs that aren’t controlled and are intended for personal use only.
This isn’t to say that shipments are never confiscated by U.S. customs officials. One Canadian online pharmacy said that out of the 1,500 prescription medicines it ships to the U.S. every day, only about one percent are confiscated at the border. When this happens, the company just resends the shipment at no extra cost to the customer.
Realism from the FDA
In 2000, Congress tried to reduce the confusion regarding online medicine purchases when it passed the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act, which made it legal for American consumers to buy prescription drugs from certain other countries. Unfortunately, the act hasn’t been instituted due to concerns from the Secretary of Health, who says that the health of Americans would be put at risk by the ability to order medicines from other countries.
At the same time, the FDA is realistic on the matter. One official said that although the agency recommends against patients ordering drugs from other countries, consumers are more likely to receive safe medicines from a licensed Canadian pharmacy compared to Mexico or Thailand. This is because in those countries, testing and regulations are lacking compared to the systems set up in the U.S. and Canada, which are similar to each other.
Recommendations for Buying Medicines from Canada
Americans can better ensure that they will be satisfied and safe when ordering prescription drugs from Canada by dealing only with pharmacies that are reputable. It’s best to call and talk with the pharmacist who handles the prescriptions to find out where the pharmacy gets its medicines, get a copy of the facility’s license and confirm how the pharmacy ensures delivery of its shipments.
Is it legal to buy prescription drugs from Canada?
Although it may technically not be, consumers don’t need to worry about ordering personal amounts of drugs that aren’t controlled. For more information, consumers can visit the following links: http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/ora_import_program.html and http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/rpm_new2/ch9pers.html, which cover the FDA Import Program and the agency’s regulations for dealing with the subject, respectively. To find affordable medications for the best prices through comparison shopping, consumers should visit eDrugSearch.
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.
-
Cary Byrd, President of eDrugSearch.com
