Online Drugs

Online Drugs

Online drugs have been a great source of controversy over the past couple of years. You might have heard some people claim that it is illegal to buy or sell medications online, when another group say it's perfectly legal. Some might say that medications bought online are not the same as those bought from the local pharmacy and the drama continues. So through all these contradictions where does the truth lie? Is it legal or is it not? Is it safe to take and will it have the same effect as those bought locally?
Well in this article we will try to shed some light on this issue.

Myth: it's illegal to purchase medications online
Truth: the government generally allows individuals to import medication for their own use for up to three-month supply. Anything exceeding 90 day supply is considered commercial use and not allowed to be sold.

Myth: medication purchased online doesn't have the same potency as those purchased locally and are considered unsafe.
Truth: online drugs purchased from Canada are of the same brand, quality, purity and potency as those available in the U.S and other countries. All medications sold adhere to the rigorous standards of Health Canada (the Canadian health authority), which meet or exceed FDA drug safety standards. The medications available to the online pharmacies are those of the same brand-name medications that are bought in U.S and other countries.

Myth: It's a very complicated process ordering medications online.
Truth: The order process is simple and hassle free. You can compare how much you can save by searching for your drugs by generic name or by brand name. Once you chose your specific drugs and medications and fill out a short medical form, a customer care agent contacts your physician for your prescription. Once that is received, a licensed pharmacist fills out your order and mails it to you.

So what's the hype about purchasing medications online and why more and more people are looking into this venue?
The simple reason is the soaring prescription drug prices. Therefore, low income senior citizens that have no insurance can't afford to pay the local pricing for their drugs, which create a great source of worry and anxiety to them. They worry whether they will have enough money left over to cover their basic necessities from food to rent. A senior woman was quoted saying: "that with the constant rise of the price of my medications I'm constantly worrying whether I'll have enough money to put food on my table or not, and at my age I should be enjoying my retirement and not in a constant worry".

The only alternative these people are finding is through ordering their medications from mail-order pharmacies. The use of these pharmacies provides them with the opportunity to purchase affordable drugs and save anywhere from 30 to 80 percent compared to their local pharmacy. These online drug stores allow you to save on average $800 per year on your specific drugs and medications with the added benefit of delivery to your doorstep. This enables people to avoid having to travel to their pharmacy and can save them time which is an added bonus to those that find it physically difficult to travel, live in remote areas, or have a busy schedule.

Another added benefit is that it will provide them with privacy and anonymity while purchasing or asking questions online regarding certain medications especially about issues such as depression, hair loss, obesity or erectile dysfunctions. Also they will be provided with useful information about their medication and diseases as well as links to medical resources.

Unfortunately not all drugs are available at those pharmacies. For instance, they legally cannot ship any refrigerated products, or any controlled drugs. However, they carry a large majority of medications, more than 2500 brand name and generic drugs. This means that if you order generic drugs they will generally cost 30 to 70 percent less than the equivalent band name counterpart.
These drugs have the same active ingredients, safety, dosage, quality and strength as those of there identical brand name counterpart. The only things that may differ are the fillers, flavorings or coating. So even though they might not look the same or taste the same, they remain to be the identical copy of the brand-name drug and will give you the consumer the added savings.

Here are some more facts for you:

• Generic drugs make up nearly half of all prescriptions filled.
• About half of generic drugs are made by companies that have ties to the manufacturers of brand name drugs.