Things to Consider Before Buying Medicines Online

In the last ten years, online pharmacies have taken the internet by storm and they are growing in a steady pace each day. Ordering medicines online can save you a great deal of time, effort and money. Online pharmacies sell medicines at half the price of your local medicine shops and they offer attractive discounts to customers. Not only that, you can sit in the comfort of your home and get your medicines delivered to your doorstep.

Nowadays you don’t think twice before buying or ordering something off the internet, but before taking the plunge of buying medicines online, you need to keep certain things in mind. Not all online pharmacies are to be trusted. Wrong or counterfeit medicines can put our health at risk, so before putting your trust on an online pharmacy, make sure you have the following things cleared up-

Is the pharmacy legal?

There are numerous online pharmacies operating online, but not all of them are legitimate. To make sure the pharmacy is not fraudulent check the privacy and security policies of the website. If they sell drugs without prescriptions, then the site is definitely not legal. Also they should have a physical address and contact information on their website.

Is your personal information kept private?

See to it that any personal information you provide is kept private and not sold by the website. Refrain from sharing any personal information like address, social security number, credit card information, and medical history unless you are sure that they will not be sold or misused in any way.

Do they have a licensed pharmacist?

Any legitimate online pharmacy would have a licensed pharmacist working for them who should be available to answer any questions or queries you might have. If you have doubts, call the store and speak to the pharmacist yourself.

Do the deals seem too good to be true?

If the medicines are being sold at incredibly low prices, then something may be wrong with them. Extremely low prices may suggest that the drug is fake or not approved by the FDA. So steer clear of super bargains and dirt cheap prices when buying medicines online.

Are they based in your country?

It is best to ensure that the online pharmacy that you are buying from is based in your country. The chances of fraud are more when you order from dubious foreign pharmacies that don’t have proper validation.

Are the medicines genuine?

Some illegal websites may be selling fake drugs or drugs that have been tampered with. If you find the seal of your medicine broken, if the medicine looks or smells funny to you, if the packaging looks different- do not consume the medicine and report the website.

How popular are they?

Since there are so many online pharmacies to choose from, it is best to compare and analyse before making a choice. Ask your friends or family and research online to find out if an online pharmacy is trustworthy or not. Word of mouth can sometimes help when buying medicines online. You can also ask your family doctor or health care physician for a recommendation.

Once you have done the necessary research and made sure the pharmacy is certified, you are safe to purchase your medicines online. Don’t forget to have a talk with your doctor first!