Guide To Safe Online Medication Shopping

Have you ever wanted to buy your medications from an online pharmacy? There are no limits to the types of products you want to buy online. You can even purchase medicines over the Internet. Purchasing your medicine online does provide some degree of ease because the medicine is delivered to your doorstep.

In the United States, it is believed that the majority of fake medicines are purchased online. Counterfeit medications can be dangerous because they have the wrong ingredients.

That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to protect yourself when buying medications online. 

An Introduction To Online Pharmacies

Online pharmacy, also known as E-pharmacy, is a business model that deals with selling 

non-prescription and prescription drugs, as in traditional or local pharmacies. However, online pharmacies take orders online and send the medication to their destination by post [1].

It is estimated that in the US, 1 in 6 consumers have purchased pharmaceutical drugs online.

Safety Measures When Shopping Medicines Online

The Food and Drug Administration provides the following tips to customers who prefer buying pharmaceutical drugs online [2]  – 

• Beware of online pharmacies that don’t provide access to registered pharmacies to answer your queries.
• Stay away from sites that do not provide a U.S. address and phone number to contact if there’s a problem. 
• Be careful of online pharmacies that use good-sounding terms to cover up a lack of good science.
• Don’t use online sites that include undocumented case histories claiming amazing results. 
• Stay away from pharmacies that are not licensed by the state board of pharmacists.

Signs of a Safe Online Pharmacy

There are ways through which a safe E-Pharmacy can be identified. Some of the signs of a secure online pharmacy include – 

• Proper Information Of Their Products –

It is recommended that customers choose an online pharmacy that provides detailed information on all their medications, such as side effects, drug interactions, working mechanisms, etc. This helps customers stay informed about the medicines they are using. 

• Provides A Physical Address –

Genuine online pharmacies always provide their location, which helps in the company’s transparency. Sometimes, some online pharmacies pop up soon and may disappear suddenly; hence, it is crucial to look for a pharmacy location in the state. If they have a registered address in the country, it is easy to trust such an e-pharma site. 

• Provides A Phone Number –

A genuine online pharmacy always provides a phone number so that their customers can connect with them whenever necessary. 

• Provides Round-The-Clock Support –

Always choose those online pharmacies that provide 24/7 customer service. If you find any issues with your medication or if you have any queries, you should be able to contact them.

• Security Concerns While Choosing The Online Pharmacy –

Security issues concern the discretion of protecting customers’ personal data. Many studies have stated that online pharmacies could be a tool for extracting patient data. Sometimes, some online pharmacies charge money and fail to deliver the ordered medicines, and sometimes, they may send the wrong medications. This may even be done to steal money from vulnerable customers.

A genuine online pharmacy site will always keep your data safe and provide you with a hassle-free shopping experience. 

Ways To Verify Medicine Authenticity

As a customer, here are some things you can do to ensure the authenticity of your medicines. 

• If your medicine suddenly has a number stamped in the middle where there was none previously, make sure to check it out with your pharmacist first before consuming it. 
• Take note of the effectiveness of the medicine when compared to the previous times you have consumed it.
• The most basic thing you should check is the seal of your medicine. If you find that the seal is tampered with or broken, do not use it. Make sure you keep those medicines received online and that the whole seal is intact.
• Be careful of relatively cheap medicines. If the price of the medicine suddenly dips, make sure to double-check. Medications are usually manufactured in comparatively the same manner; hence, changes in the pricing of one brand can greatly affect all pharmaceutical companies.
• Make sure to check the packaging because it can give you an idea of its authenticity. The color, font, logo, and spelling of the name can provide clear indications of fake medicine [3]. 

Conclusion

If you suspect that the medicine you’ve bought online is fake, don’t take it. The best way to purchase genuine medication is to be well-informed and selective about where you buy them. 

There are various genuine online pharma sites, and one such is Vedicarehealth where you can buy genuine pain and erectile dysfunction medications at reasonable rates from the comfort of your home.