About two-thirds of the U.S. adult population uses prescription drugs. This puts countless people in line at their pharmacies on hectic days, wasting time and gas money. As such, they often turn to online pharmacies and buying medicine online for convenience.
It seems like the perfect solution, especially if someone lives far away from a drug store or pharmacy.
However, buying medicine online comes with its own dangers. Make the wrong move, and you can endanger your health.
Read on to learn about common online medicine buying mistakes that you should avoid from here on out.
1. Bypassing the Doctor
You should always check with your doctor before purchasing prescription drugs. Doctors say what you can and can’t do while on certain medications to prevent further health conditions.
For example, some drugs mix poorly with other substances or contain harmful chemicals. Doctors have priority access to such information and can inform you if something changes.
2. Forgetting to Research the Pharmacy
Pharmacies, online or otherwise, should all have licenses. You can find the proper credentials through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Reputable online pharmacies should also have the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal.
Additionally, you ought to check online customer reviews. How many can you find, and what do they say about how the pharmacy conducts itself?
Furthermore, all online pharmacies should ask for a prescription from the doctor. Of course, you want everyone to be able to access quality medication (learn more about it here) through any online medicine store. That said, you must stay safe while doing so.
3. Buying from Online Pharmacies that Overcharge
People often switch from in-person pharmacies to online ones due to high medication prices (they save on gas, too). Yet you can still find places that cost an arm and a leg. Comparing medicine prices from different stores helps you find the best possible deal.
Remember to consider these options alongside the other mistakes from above. A slightly pricier but certified online pharmacy should outweigh a cheaper, uncertified one.
4. Using an Online Pharmacy With Slow Shipping
Many prescription medications require immediate use. Some online pharmacies take weeks to ship products. This compromises your health and may lead to death, depending on what you need your prescription for.
You should check out shipping time as well as shipping cost. Some online pharmacies may have expedited shipping options, too.
5. Using an Outdated Online Pharmacy
This might seem contradictory, but some online pharmacies have inefficient business operations. As mentioned above, this might mean slow shipping, inadequate medication supply, or outdated medication supply.
Some online pharmacies simply have poor customer service. Many people stick with a drug store or pharmacy because they want to remain loyal customers, but that becomes moot when your health enters the picture.
6. Forgetting to Research the Drug or Supplement
Your doctor is a reliable source of information, so you should ask all you want to know about a drug or supplement. Ultimately, you know your body best, so you should determine whether a new substance will disturb your life in any way.
For instance, you can ask about rarer side effects in conjunction with your experiences with a similar drug. You may even consult an online pharmacist, too.
Final Words on Online Medicine Buying Mistakes
Overall, many online medicine buying mistakes also apply to in-person medication purchases. You should always do your due diligence when it comes to your body.
Make the right choices to avoid these mistakes and live healthier, happier lives.
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