With the numerous online drugstores setting up shop in cyberspace, looking for a good Internet-based pharmacy can be very tedious and taxing. But you don’t have to worry about that, this article will help you in knowing which online drugstores are safe and which ones are not.
Are there different kinds of Internet pharmacies?
Web-based pharmacies can be categorized as:
1.Prescription online pharmacy.
This type of pharmacy requires its customers to present a valid prescription note upon ordering to confirm that the he had already visited a licensed physician for a consultation. This is the ideal practice for any drugstore, be it land-based or on the web, because by law, no pharmacy is allowed to dispense any prescription drug to anyone without a prescription note.
2.Non-prescription online pharmacy.
This kind of drugstore sells prescription medications without needing to have a prescription note. For most cases, these kinds of pharmacies are notorious for being illegal. However, it wouldn’t be fair to generalize all non-prescription pharmacies. There are some who offer a high-tech approach to doctor’s consultations – they do it online. Some companies offer the service of a doctor to provide consultations via a webcam and voice chat.
What are the dangers in buying from a non-prescription online pharmacy?
When you buy from non-prescription online pharmacies, you expose yourself to potential risks, not only to your health, but to your privacy as well. These risks include:
Counterfeit drugs.
You may receive a cheap knock-off imitation of prescription medications when you buy from unknown non-prescription pharmacy sites. You may also get sent prescription drugs with higher or lower doses than what your condition requires.
Drug interactions.
Copy-cat prescription drugs obtained from suspicious online drugstores that do not ask for a prescription note may contain several hidden ingredients used as fillers. These hidden ingredients may in turn cause an undesirable drug interaction to your body, or trigger a severe allergic reaction which may end up with death.
Identity theft.
Personal and financial information submitted to medical questionnaires in illegitimate online pharmacy websites may be used by the illegal company’s owner for their personal gain. They can assume your identity to close transactions, or even use your credit card number to make large purchases without your knowledge.
Is it safe to buy prescriptions from non-prescription online pharmacies?
Yes, it is still safe to do so. It is just a matter of finding the right Internet drugstore to buy from. Here are some tips to help you choose where to buy prescription drugs online:
Visit the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website to see a list of certified online drugstores that are part of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). Being a VIPPS means that the online drugstore company has passed the NABP’s strict qualifying standards.
As much as possible, look for a web-based pharmacy that asks you for a prescription note.
Look for the company’s privacy policy and make sure you understand how they plan to protect your security. Make sure that the online drugstore company will not use your information for any other purpose except for the reason it was solicited for in the beginning. |
