A staggering 18 million Americans say that they can’t afford their prescription medications. Having to decide between taking potentially life-saving medication and paying your bills can feel like an impossible decision.
Fortunately, buying medicine from an online pharmacy can be a more affordable option worth exploring. But, how can you be sure that it’s safe when you buy medicine online? Good question.
Keep reading for tips to help you safely purchase medication from online pharmacies so you can get the treatment you need for the right price.
Make Sure the Site Requires a Prescription
A legitimate online pharmacy will require a doctor’s prescription before allowing you to purchase medicine. So, before buying from a site, check to make sure they require a prescription for all purchases.
If they don’t it could be a sign that they’re running an illegal business. If you buy from them anyway, you could get the wrong medication or end up paying for something that you never receive. Don’t risk it.
Read Online Reviews
These days, virtually every company has online reviews from previous customers. Take the time to research a site before by reading through past reviews. If you find that a company has a lot of positive reviews going back several months or, ideally, years, then it’s a good sign that it’s legitimate.
Be sure to read through any negative reviews as well to look for any potential red flags.
Check for a Physical Address
If an online pharmacy doesn’t have a physical address or only lists a P.O. box, it could be a sign that they’re not located where they say they are. A legitimate online pharmacy will be upfront not only about where they are located but also about where they get their medication.
If you find it difficult to track down that information, it’s best to order from a different pharmacy to ensure your safety.
Be Skeptical of Unbelievable Prices
While the driving force behind ordering from an online pharmacy is to save money, you should be skeptical if the prices seem too low. After all, as the old saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Legitimate online pharmacies should offer competitive pricing for the top medications. If they seem to be unbelievably discounted, it could be a sign that the pharmacy isn’t legitimate or the medication is not real.
Check for Certifications
A legitimate online pharmacy has nothing to hide and should have online pharmacy certifications. There are a few third-party pharmacy certification checkers that you can find online to look up a pharmacy before ordering from them.
Likewise, legitimate online pharmacies will often list these certifications on their website, so you can verify that way as well.
What to Remember When Buying Medicine Online
Now that you know more about the most important safety tips to remember when buying medicine online, you can feel confident that you’re choosing a safe, reliable online pharmacy.
Interested in reading more health-related content like this? Browse through our full collection of articles before you go.