More people are ordering prescriptions online than ever before, due to the convenience, cost benefits, and discretion of the services.
Year after year, American spending on prescription medication increases, and many are left wondering what options they have to help combat the cost. Other obstacles that many are facing include long lines at the pharmacy, trouble getting refills on time, and pharmacies running out of medication before a prescription can be filled. Often, customers are given three, five, or seven days worth of medication and asked to come back a second time to receive the remainder of their prescription. The growing trend of ordering prescriptions online offers a solution to these problems.
Buying Prescription Drugs Online
The technology boom in recent years, along with the demand for more prompt and convenient service, has increased the availability to buy prescriptions online. It’s now possible to order medication at the click of a button from the privacy of your own home. For those ordering medication for specific health disorders, this has become a source of instant relief. Rather than speak with a pharmacy technician, a computer can process your request and have prescriptions delivered right to your door.
Ordering Prescriptions Online Is Easy to Do
Once you have a prescription in-hand from your doctor, it’s easy to place an order online. With the option for overnight shipping, the inconvenience of waiting in line becomes a thing of the past. Online pharmacies can communicate directly with your doctor if authorizations are needed or refills run out. Licensed pharmacists are also available by phone to answer any questions you may have.
Creating an account with an online pharmacy is free, and you’ll be able to shop for prescription prices before you buy. Medication is always delivered discretely to protect patient privacy, and online pharmacies are held to the legal standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA ensures that none of your private health information will ever be shared with outside parties or entities without your explicit written consent. This is a federal law that must be adhered to and is designed to protect consumers and patients.
It’s easy to get free shipping, generic prescription drug price matching, use promotional codes, and unlike with traditional pharmacies, obtain refunds or process returns under certain circumstances. Online pharmacies are often able to beat the prices of traditional pharmacies as they are able to fill prescriptions without taking insurance. Using insurance is what typically increases the cost of filling generic medications. When you order your prescriptions online you won’t have to worry about the copay, just the price of the actual medication.
Safety Tips for Ordering Prescriptions Online
Your health and safety are of utmost importance, and it’s essential to be aware of safety precautions to take when ordering medication online. Learning about these tips will help ensure that you receive the correct medication at the right dose, from a reputable online pharmacy.
Read the Privacy Policy
Online pharmacies are required to have a privacy policy posted, which should include an outline of your protections under HIPAA. If an online pharmacy does not have such policies posted, stay away.
Ensure That the Mail Order Pharmacy Is Based in the United States
Ensuring that an online pharmacy is based in the United States is crucial, as all drugs sold in America must meet the safety standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has no jurisdiction over medications that are filled outside of the country and is unable to approve their use without the strict testing standards present here in the U.S.
You should be able to quickly determine where the online pharmacy is based on their website. If the information is not readily available, or they refuse to release the information over the phone, this is a major red flag, and it’s advised that you look elsewhere.
Check for Licensure and Compliance Information
Just as in-person pharmacies are required to hold licensure through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, online pharmacies are held to the same standard. You can check online here to see if the online pharmacy is accredited, simply by entering the name. The DEA also regulates online pharmacies.
Additionally, online pharmacies must be licensed in the state their operation is based. If there is not a Licensure and Compliance page listed on the website, and the National Association of Board of Pharmacy is unable to verify the company, it’s wise to choose another company.
Ordering prescriptions online is easier to do than ever before, and just as safe as ordering through traditional in-person pharmacies once you’re sure that they are verified and licensed. Stop overpaying at your old pharmacy today, and see how you can switch to online prescription fulfillment.
