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How do I Choose the Best Online Prescription Drugs?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

The question of how to choose the best online prescription drugs is a difficult one to answer. It is hoped that all people who purchase drugs online are not deciding on their own which ones to get. Though there are some sites that offer people medications without a prescription, it is highly advised that people not use these pharmacies; they represent a danger in a variety of ways. On the other hand, if the question is how to choose which drugs to buy based on what is routinely prescribed, the main method of determining best drugs includes finding a reputable and licensed pharmacy, opting for medications manufactured in countries with high standards, and doing some price comparison.

It perhaps bears repeating that people are not qualified to prescribe or choose their own medications. Online prescription drugs aren’t really any different in this respect, than are drugs obtained in a pharmacy. Just because a person might be able to get access to prescription medicines online without having a prescription, certainly doesn’t mean they should take advantage of that access. Virtually every medication has a list of side effects and drug interactions that is very long, and the person who is not a doctor or pharmacist may make extremely poor and dangerous choices if they get drugs online. It’s therefore potentially foolish and dangerous to self-prescribe.

Shoppers should only buy from online pharmacies that employ licensed pharmacists.
Shoppers should only buy from online pharmacies that employ licensed pharmacists.

For those who have prescriptions from doctors and want to try to fill them on the Internet, the matter takes a completely different turn. The real question in getting the best online prescription drugs becomes getting the best quality. To accomplish this, the first thing people will need to look for is if the pharmacy is licensed. In the US, for instance, the place to check would be the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. In Canada, the Canadian International Pharmacy Association is a good place to check. Most countries have licensing boards and will or will not certify online pharmacies that operate within their borders.

Online prescription drugs are not physically different from those obtained in a pharmacy.
Online prescription drugs are not physically different from those obtained in a pharmacy.

Everyone has to make a personal decision on the issue of where to get online prescription drugs. Some countries have fewer regulations about make, manufacture, and expiration dates. It’s a good idea to research this issue thoroughly to determine which countries have the highest standards. This means people will not only be ordering from what is determined a safe pharmacy, but they’ll also be ordering medications that are considered best quality.

Find out the country in which the drug website is based, and whether that country enforces strict standards related to potency and quality.
Find out the country in which the drug website is based, and whether that country enforces strict standards related to potency and quality.

Lastly, some people judge by price, which is a valid thing to consider. However, the price of online prescription drugs could be lower when offered by pharmacies that aren’t licensed or don’t have access to medications made under the highest standards. Typically, people will pay a little more if they truly want the best and safest drugs. Still, once a person derives a list of reputable pharmacies that sell safely made drugs, they can look at pricing for medications from each pharmacy. This can help determine which pharmacies appear to have the best prices overall.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

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    • Shoppers should only buy from online pharmacies that employ licensed pharmacists.
      By: mangostock
      Shoppers should only buy from online pharmacies that employ licensed pharmacists.
    • Online prescription drugs are not physically different from those obtained in a pharmacy.
      By: Rob Byron
      Online prescription drugs are not physically different from those obtained in a pharmacy.
    • Find out the country in which the drug website is based, and whether that country enforces strict standards related to potency and quality.
      By: candy1812
      Find out the country in which the drug website is based, and whether that country enforces strict standards related to potency and quality.
    • Filling prescriptions online may be more convenient for people who are disabled or who have a chronic illness.
      By: igor
      Filling prescriptions online may be more convenient for people who are disabled or who have a chronic illness.
    • Ordering prescription medications online is becoming more and more popular, although it can be dangerous.
      By: adam36
      Ordering prescription medications online is becoming more and more popular, although it can be dangerous.