Lately, a lot of spam and pop-up ads have been flying around cyberspace, promoting different pharmacies on the web. And with the ongoing advancement in technology, it isn’t surprising that most transactions can be done over the Internet. But what sets online drugstores different from the conventional land-based pharmacy?
The first bragging point of an online drugstore is convenience. It offers a hassle-free way of getting your prescriptions without having to leave the comfort of your house. Since ordering is done over the net, all you need is a good computer, a steady Internet connection, and a credit card. With just a few clicks of the mouse, your order is placed and you just have to wait for you package to arrive at your doorstep. Now you can do away with having to leave the house just to visit a pharmacy to buy your needed medications.
Another selling point of Internet-based pharmacies is the price of the medicine they sell. Prescription medications that usually come expensive in land-based drugstores are sold at low, affordable prices. At times, prescription drugs are sold at discounted prices when bought in bulk amounts.
Using web-based drugstores presents its customers a change to save money. Not only will the consumers be able to save a few extra dollars from the cheaper cost of the prescription drugs, but they can also cut down on traveling costs of going to the pharmacy and back.
Some web-based pharmacies offer to sell prescription medications even to buyers who do not have a valid prescription note. Although beneficial for people who do not have enough money to seek medical consultation from a physician, this service often raises eyebrows. This is due to the fact that people have been reported to have had overdoses on controlled narcotics that were ordered from Internet pharmacies.
Sorting out the legitimate Internet pharmacies from the illegal ones can be difficult because of the huge number of existing online drugstores. But here are some helpful advices to make looking for a legitimate Internet pharmacy easier:
lLook for a local-based online drugstore. Buy only choose Internet-based pharmacies that are located within the United States and are licensed to operate or dispense prescription medicine in your state.
lLook for an accredited website of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Visit the NABP website to check out the list of online pharmacies that have passed the certification to become one of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS).
lLook for a website that asks for a valid prescription before selling you prescription drugs. The prescription note confirms that you’ve consulted a physician and has been prescribed the appropriate medication to help you with your condition.
lLook for a website that protects your right to privacy and security. Read and understand the company’s privacy policy to ensure that your information is safeguarded and that it will not be used for other purposes except for the reason it was collected.
lNever give out any of your private information such as personal and financial data unless you have checked the credibility and legality of the online pharmacy.
You too can help protect the World Wide Web from fake online drugstores whose only aim is to take advantage of people. If you’ve come across a suspicious Internet-based pharmacy, report it to the proper authorities.
