Online pharmacies can make ordering prescriptions much easier. But there are reasons to consider whether ordering online or going to your local pharmacy is a better match for you. Your prescription drugs are very important to your well being and health, so the pharmacy you choose should be equally as important.
Cost
Cost can be a deciding factor in many of today's purchasing habits. Online pharmacies can offer deals to consumers, and some offer free shipping when you purchase a prescription with the rest of your order. One thing you can't do with online pharmacies that you can do at your traditional drugstore is use coupons. Using coupons helps save money and consumers are more apt to use them in a down economy. Many traditional pharmacies are giving deep discounts on popular drugs; generics can cost only $4 per month. Their online counterparts offer the same discounts, but you still may have to pay a shipping charge.
Reliability
While ordering online is easy, it's not always reliable. Shipping delays or items not available when you order can be frustrating and dangerous if the drugs you need aren't there when you need them. For instance, those with high blood pressure should not go without their medicine, just as diabetics need their insulin pills or shots. Those using anxiety medicine can go through withdrawal symptoms if they skip a dose. So reliability should be an important factor when deciding to order online.
Convenience
The convenience of ordering from online pharmacies can't be disputed. Being able to sit in your home or office and order a prescription and other drugstore-related products online can save time. But you may be trading convenience for the personal interaction with your local pharmacist. Your pharmacist can answer questions about the drugs you are taking and even about other non-prescription products in the store. He can also tell if there may be side effects, if you are taking multiple prescription drugs.
Online Canadian Pharmacies
Purchasing online drugs in the United States from a Canadian pharmacy can be tricky and unsafe. You can order drugs in small quantities from Canada and sometimes without a prescription, but doing so is at your own risk. Some of these drugs could be imported from different countries, so their validity in actually helping your ailments might be less than desirable. Also, you could risk worse health problems when taking those types of medications.
Safety
Most popular drugstores, such as Walgreens, CVS and Rite-Aid, have online websites where you can order your prescriptions. The validity of these online pharmacies are well known. Independent online pharmacies can be as equally safe and reputable, such as drugstore.com. But some independent online pharmacies might not be as safe, so caution should be taken when ordering from an online facility you know nothing about. It's better to stick with popular drugstores when ordering online. Your local independent pharmacy on the other hand can be quite safe.
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