Pros and Cons of Online Pharmacies

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.