If you're prescribed a certain medication and you're looking for something more competitively priced, an overseas pharmacy may be a viable option.
Before you decide to log on and look for your prescription meds via a foreign pharmacy, it's important that you understand how to do it in a way that's safe and legal.
These helpful tips will guide you through the process. Read on to learn more for a safe, reliable experience that can also save you some hard-earned cash.
Know the Important Safety Protocols
Before you pay for medication from an overseas pharmacy, you need to ensure that they are properly and fully licensed and regulated. The Medicines & Healthcare Related Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has created a list of online pharmacies you can check in advance. Take a look here.
All legitimate overseas pharmacies will require you to submit an actual prescription issued by your doctor. They will also have a qualified pharmacist who is always available to answer any questions you may have.
The website or online pharmacy should also include real contact information that features a reachable phone number and a name of a person you can talk to. This availability is important for any patient, whether they're purchasing medicine overseas or at home.
Understanding the Risks of an Overseas Pharmacy
While buying your medication from a foreign pharmacy is competitively priced, there can also be some inherent risks if you're not careful. By understanding these risks, you can be better prepared to make a safe purchase.
An illegal overseas pharmacy could sell you outdated or expired medication, which can be less effective or even harmful. Some medications produced overseas are made in substandard facilities with little to no oversight.
Another serious risk is that many medications purchased from abroad could actually contain dangerous ingredients. The medication may be improperly stored or it could even be too strong or too weak in comparison to what you're used to.
Some medications sold by illegal, unlicensed pharmacies might even be the wrong medication altogether. They could also be counterfeit, which can not only be dangerous, but it can also be deadly!
Be a Smart Shopper
It's important that the pharmacy you choose has the right certifications. When in doubt, ask your doctor or local pharmacist if they can refer you to a reliable source.
Because an online pharmacy has you fill out a patient questionnaire does not mean that they're following the proper standards of care. You could even end up with an incorrect diagnosis, or they may send medication that's unrelated to your condition.
You should also make sure that the overseas pharmacy is secure. In some cases, your personal information could be compromised so make sure they have right security protocols in place.
Tips for Success
To save money and get your medication safely, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure your success. While there are some unsavoury online and overseas pharmacies, many are perfectly safe and legitimate.
Check the pharmacy website to ensure that they have all of the proper compliances in place. This should include seals from the MHRA.
If a website does not require you to produce a copy of your signed prescription, be wary. Most authentic and reliable overseas pharmacies always request this prescription for verification purposes.
For many patients, buying their drugs overseas can save quite a bit of money. Just be aware of any currency conversions, since it could end up costing you more depending on the rate of exchange.
When you order your medication, it will be shipped directly to you. The FDA is not as strict about this if you're using the medicine for your own personal use and medical needs.
There are clear guidelines listed by the FDA that show you which items can and cannot be filled overseas and brought into the United States. In most cases, if your medicine is less than a three-month supply, there is usually not an issue.
Other exceptions to FDA regulations on importation include if the drug has not yet been approved in the U.S., but you have a prescription for a serious condition and cannot find a similar drug here. And, if your medication has been declared by Customs with the proper documentation, you should be able to receive it without any issues.
Modern Healthcare that Works
To get the medication you need safely and quickly at a competitive price, an overseas pharmacy can be an excellent option. Be sure you do your homework and read all the terms and conditions of your pharmacy of choice.
Submit valid prescriptions and check to make sure that the pharmacy clearly shows all of the proper certifications on their website.
Visit our website for great prices on many medications that will help you live a healthier life, and read our blog for lots of helpful health-related tips and information.
