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.
Prescription medication is vital for the health of many people, but without health insurance, many prescriptions can be unaffordable. As a result, consumers are commonly forced to go without the medicines they need. If you’re wondering how to get prescription medication without health insurance, below is a look at ways to get prescription drugs for lower prices.
Speak with a Doctor
If you’re taking a newer medication, your doctor may be able to give you samples or even a discount card that lets you get an entire month’s supply for free. If you explain your inability to afford the medication you need, many doctors will do what they can to help you get the drugs you need at a price you can afford or even at no charge. If you’re taking an older drug, talk to your doctor and see if he or she would be able to switch you over to a newer drug that works just as well while also giving you the chance to use samples and discounts from manufacturers.
Consult a Pharmacist
Pharmacists are often aware of special discounts available from drug manufacturers before doctors find out about them. Even if a pharmacist doesn’t know about specific discounts, he or she may be able to give you contact numbers for manufacturers that you can call to inquire about discounts. This is a great avenue to check out if you’re looking into how to get prescription medication without health insurance.
Consider Health Discount Cards
A variety of cards are available for discounts on medications. They are different from insurance and actually involve deals that are made between doctors and manufacturers to provide patients with drugs at lower prices. You’ll generally pay less if you buy medications through one of these cards, but check to see how much money you’ll save before you choose one. Not every plan offers discounts that are actually worth the cost of the card itself.
Check State Health Plans
Health plans in many states allow consumers, especially children, to obtain health care at lower prices if health insurance is unaffordable but income is too high for Medicaid. Income information will be necessary to get onto a state plan. If you lack health insurance but continue to earn a fairly high income, you may not be able to find coverage through a plan offered by a state. Some states do cover individuals with higher incomes, but they may require premiums that can exceed the costs of many drugs.
Talk to Drug Manufacturers
If you’re still trying to find out how to get prescription medication without health insurance, contact drug manufacturers directly. Many give discounted or free medication to patients who can’t afford the medications they need. Manufacturers have different standards regarding who is qualified for their programs, but few are very strict on income limits for patients who lack insurance. However, the companies all require participants to reapply annually and notify them if they gain health care coverage at a later time.
Purchase Medications from Canadian Pharmacies
More consumers are ordering their medicines from Canadian pharmacies thanks to prices that can be anywhere from 40 to 80 percent lower than retail prices in the United States. Not all pharmacies have the same prices and levels of service, however, so the use of a drug price comparison service is recommended.
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.
How to Get Free Prescription Drugs or Low-Cost Prescription Medication
Prescription medication bills can be crushing, especially without good insurance coverage. However, there is a best kept secret. Wondering How to Get Free Prescription Drugs or Low-Cost Prescription Medication? Believe it or not, it can be done. With a little savvy and research, you can actually prescriptions that cost you little or nothing.
With a strained economy, everyone is watching their budgets today. Whether you have first rate insurance, or no insurance at all, take advantage of the opportunities that are there for the taking when it comes to getting free or low-cost prescription drugs.
The first thing you need to realize is that it may take you some time to have access to savings. However, you have nothing to lose as you apply for programs that will allow you to purchase your prescriptions at a lower price, at times even qualifying for free medication.
The RX Assist Patient Assistance Program Center provides an excellent resource that is free for an online search. You’ll be able to find out what is offered for individuals with a low income. You can find out eligibility requirements, special programs offered for those with numerous prescriptions, and also learn about programs that are provided by the state. Finding out how to get the lowest price or even free medication can be very time-consuming and isn’t always easy. You still owe it to yourself to find out if you qualify. Above all, you need to ensure that you do not jeopardize your health by going without essential medication.
Clinical trials are another way to go when you are searching for medication at little or no cost. Clinicaltrials.gov can assist you in finding out if there is anything available in your area that applies to your condition. You’ll be under the superivision of hospital staff while you participate. Not only will you have access to medication for free, you will also be taking part in important research that could help others.
Don’t forget Medicare. This program is funded by the federal government and administered by each state. If you are over the age of 65, you need to inquire about Medicare. Find out all of the details and how this valuable program can assist you in all of your healthcare needs. From medication to doctor’s visits and hospital stays, you could be eligible for considerable assistance.
Another resourceful way on how to get low-cost prescription drugs is eDrugsearch.com can also help you in finding affordable medication. You’ll be able to freely compare drug prices from various, licensed Canadian pharmacies. Whether you need a generic prescription, or the name brand, this site is a gold mine of free valuable information. You’ll have access to verified online pharmacy and drug ratings and reviews. Combine your findings at eDrugsearch.com with any assistance programs you find to save the most on a tight budget.
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 Compare Drug Prices Online
With the high price for prescription drugs, finding affordable medication is usually difficult. This is often the case even if you have drug coverage with your health insurance plan. One of the ways to save money on your prescription drugs is to do price comparison shopping online. This may be done easily and quickly by comparing prescription drug prices online. If you know how to compare drug prices online from several pharmacies, you are better able to save anything from 40-85% off your drug prices. A safe, reliable and cost-effective website to help you compare drug prices online is eDrugSearch.com.
Guidelines for Using Internet Search Sites for Drug Prices
If you are shopping for inexpensive medications and you want to compare prices, a good method is doing online searches. Some helpful tips for using this technique are as follows:
• Check to see if a generic alternative of the drug is available,
• Verify that the website is legal and approved by your local or federal government,
• Check on safety and reliability records of the online pharmacy,
• Take note of reviews by users and accredited organizations,
• Remember to include shipping costs, which may increase your order price.
Why You Should Use eDrugSearch.com
For the uninsured and underinsured, online drug pharmacies offer good choices in finding low-cost medications to help you save money on prescription drugs. By using eDrugSearch.com, you may gain many benefits, including:
- Search engine, which is free and convenient with real-time price searches,
- A comprehensive database with over 100,000 listed medications,
- The use of licensed and accredited international pharmacies,
- Offer drug discounts and prices for brand as well as generic alternatives,
- Member reviews and ratings of pharmacies and medications.
How to Compare Drug Prices Online
When using the eDrugSearch.com website, you can expect an easy and convenient drug price cost-comparison search tool. This is helpful in finding safe low cost prescription drugs. Here are the three easy and convenient steps on how to compare drug prices online by using eDrugSearch.com.
Step#1: Type the drug name in the search box or search for the drug using the A-Z links.
Step #2: Compare the drug prices from the approved international pharmacies.
Step #3: Select the best price and save money.
Useful Resources When Comparing Drug Prices Online
The protection of customers is important and at eDrugSearch.com we provide you with confidence as you shop and compare drug prices online. You may find a “Description” tab, which provides you with detailed information on the prescribed drug you are currently search for. This may help you to find out more about the medication, which you are taking.
In addition, you may access drug information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (/pages/fda-guidelines/). The agency outlines rules and guidelines on purchasing drugs from overseas for personal use. To ensure that the online pharmacies are safe, reliable as well as meet the licensing standards, the companies go through strict approval processing (/pages/online-pharmacy-regulations/). This includes being endorsed by other third party organizations such as the Better Business Bureau Online.
Discovering how to compare drug prices online is an important investment for your health care needs. By doing internet price-comparison searches you may save up to 85% off the cost of your prescription medications. For a free internet search tool on how to compare drug prices online, visit eDrugSearch.com.
Helpful Ways of How to Take Pills If You Can’t Swallow Them
A lot of us have to take pills from time to time. For some, swallowing pills are easy, but many people have a tough time. No matter your age, if you have a hard time doing this, here are some helpful ways of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them.
Crushing Pills
- Before crushing any pills, make sure to check with a pharmacist if it’s okay to do so. It’s usually fine to do this with most pills, but it’s very important to know if it’s safe first.
- Purchase a pill crusher. These were designed as a way of how to take to pills if you can’t swallow them. They can be found in most pharmacies and drug stores. They reduce pills to a fine powder, making them much easier to take. If you don’t have a pill crusher, you can crush pills yourself with something flat, like the back of a large spoon.
- Once the pills have been crushed, try mixing the powder into a small amount of liquid. Once mixed, simply drink it and try to do so quickly in one gulp so you minimize how long you have to taste it. It’s a good idea to have something on hand (like a piece of chocolate) when you’re done so you can get the crushed pill flavor out of your mouth.
Cutting Pills
- Cutting pills are another way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them. Like crushing pills, first check if it is safe to do this. Also, this will only work with solid pills, it won’t work with gel capsules and powder filled capsules.
- All you need is a knife and a plate. A knife with a thin serrated blade works best, just be careful while using it. Place the pill on a flat plate and slowly cut the pill into as many small pieces as you want. These small pieces will be much easier to swallow and is a quick way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them.
- Once the pill has been cut into small pieces, place once piece in your mouth along with some water. Tilt your head back and position the piece to the back of your mouth. Then quickly swallow. If it doesn’t go down the first time, just keep gulping water until it does. Repeat this with every piece, one by one. Again, have something on hand to get the pill flavor out of your mouth.
Concealing Pills
- Concealing pills are also a way of how to take pills if you can’t swallow them. With this method, you won’t be left with a pill taste in your mouth after you’re done. The important thing to do first is to select a food that you know you can easily swallow. Some people like to use bread or something with a soft and slippery consistency like a gelatin dessert cube.
- Once you’ve chosen a food, cut a small piece of it that’s just slightly bigger than your pill. Then take that piece and cut it in half. Place the pill inside the two pieces and put the two halves back together. Then simply put it into your mouth and swallow. This way, it’s more like eating food you enjoy rather than the chore of swallowing pills.
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 Illegal to Buy Medicine from Canada?
Trying to save on the costs of prescription medicines is a challenge that many people face. Buying medicines from Canada is a way to save money, but is it illegal to buy medicine from Canada? The savings can equal hundreds of dollars for Americans when buying from licensed, online pharmacies in Canada if you do a little research before making your purchase.
What to Know
The official answer to whether or not it is legal to buy Canadian medications through an online pharmacy and have them shipped into the United States is no, it isn’t legal. The reality is that most enforcement agencies are willing to allow American citizen to order several months worth of medications as long as the prescriptions aren’t highly controlled within the United States. For example, most enforcement agencies will allow you to order several months worth of cholesterol controlling medications, but don’t allow prescription narcotics (controlled substances) to be shipped across the border.
The official stance of the federal agency in charge of regulating incoming prescription medications and enforcing the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 is that a three month supply of most medications can be shipped into the country and the agency will not take any action. The limited resources and manpower available to the agency make controlling small shipments of medications for personal use very challenging, which has resulted in this look-the-other-way policy. The FDA currently uses the resources available to control large, unauthorized shipments of medications that enter the country rather than small, personal shipments of medications.
Ordering Online
If you have been wondering is it illegal to buy medicine from Canada, you have also considered the benefits of ordering your medications from an international pharmacy. Prescription medications from Canada are the same quality as those from America, but cost significantly less than buying from a local American pharmacy. Canadian pharmacies that ship into the United States are also willing to resend any rejected packages that are returned by the customs agents in the states. With 99% of medications reaching the customer without any problems, this occurrence is very rare.
Ordering online is convenient and safe when buying from a reliable pharmacy. Canadian prescription medications are regulated for consistent quality, just as American pharmacies, making them a much safer alternative then ordering from some other international locations. Look for a pharmacy that is licensed and that has an address in Canada to get the best medications for your money. Some Canadian pharmacies will require you send in a written prescription for your medications before shipping your order. If you spend a lot of money on medicines each month, this simple step can save you money on your medications month after month.
Saving on Medicines
The comparisons between Canadian and American pharmacies are shocking to those taking prescription medications. A standard one month supply of Tamoxifen, a drug that is used to treat cancer, is nearly three hundred dollars in America, but less than fifty dollars when purchased from a Canadian pharmacy online. Most Canadian pharmacies offer expedited shipping options and free shipping options in addition to charging much less for medications, allowing you to save even more on your prescriptions each month. When wondering is it illegal to buy medicine from Canada, the answer is that you can easily buy your medicines for less without worry about being prosecuted.
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.
Guidelines for Safe Use of Prescription Drugs: Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Every time an individual consumes drugs, foods, fluids or other substances, they have to be broken down by the body before they can be absorbed into the system. Waste products produced from the consumption are assimilated and cleared from the body through various organs such as the kidney and liver.
When doctors prescribe medicine, patients should be very careful with the use of the drugs. They should make sure they fully understand how to use the drugs, their effectiveness and side effects. People should avoid medication errors because improper use of prescription medication can have harmful side effects. Here are guidelines for safe use of prescription drugs.
- Misunderstandings and miscommunication between patients and their doctors or pharmacists cause many medication errors. Other causes of errors include illegible handwritings on prescription orders, mislabeling on medication containers, spelling errors especially on decimal points and incorrect number of zeroes on labels.
- These errors can cause significant changes in dosage. Consequently, the side effects may also be severe. Learn the names of the prescription drugs and understand their dosage and purpose. One of the best guidelines for safe use of prescription drugs is by being a well-informed patient. Those with multiple conditions should keep track of all the drugs they are taking, their time schedules and dosage. One of the best ways of doing this is by keeping a personal journal or medical logbook. Keep the checklist in view of other family members so that they can assist in case of an emergency.
- Log in every medication taken on the logbook or journal. Note the dosage and time schedule. Include any usual side effects experienced.
- Inform the doctor of all the changes in daily life including: Changes in sleeping patterns, Allergic reactions to certain medications, Those who are pregnant, have plans of becoming pregnant or are nursing a baby should also inform the doctor before they prescribe medication, and Inform the doctor of all illnesses that another doctor is treating or recently treated.
- Patients should always follow the prescription directions as well as the guidelines for safe use of prescription drugs given by their doctors and pharmacists. Do not change anything unless instructed by the healthcare professionals.
- Some drugs may cause drowsiness. Patients who experience such side effects should avoid driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery. Other drugs increase sensitivity to sunlight while others need to be taken after or before meals. The key is to abide by the instructions of the physician and learn how to take prescription medicine correctly.
- Caregivers for a child or adult should remind them to take their medication or administer the medication themselves. In case it is a school-going child, contact the school nurse to ensure they know how to administer the drug properly.
- Monitor side effects of the medication and record the reaction on the logbook or journal. The side effects could be the result of various causes. Contact the doctor if the side effects are unusual.
- Learn the signs of overdose and when to call an emergency number in case a family member has taken an overdose. Keep the emergency number at an accessible and visible area so that any family member can make the call in case they suspect an overdose.
- Keep a list of all prescription drugs taken. Carry the list on the next visit to a doctor and explain the drug names, purpose and how often they have been taken.
If you found the Top 10 Guidelines for Safe Use of Prescription Drugs helpful, please forward it to a friend or family member so they can avoid costly mistakes.
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.
Looking to reduce your prescription medication costs? Well look no further, eDrugSearch.com is here!
For those of you who are unfamiliar with eDrugSearch.com – “We’re a FREE cost comparison engine that has been helping consumers get safe access to affordable and life-saving prescription medications since 2006.”
To compare prices just go to eDrugSearch.com, type in your drug name, compare prices, then simply click the “Buy Now” button to be directed to a safe licensed online pharmacy – easy peasy!
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.
