Ordering online and picking up curbside, or better, mailbox-side is the new normal. And a lot of us had to learn how to navigate things like superstore order-ahead apps and the like in the past year.
And now that you don’t have to get out of your car to get your groceries (or anything else), you’re probably wondering if you can buy medicine the same way. The good news is, you can order online medicine. The bad news is … well there is no bad news, as long as you stick to a few safety points.
We’re laying out the do’s and don’ts of getting your meds online, below.
Do: Make Sure They Require a Prescription
You cannot order drugs that need a prescription without one signed by a licensed medical doctor. If you find someone willing to give you a medication that is prescription-grade – then that person is doing something illegal and you could be implicated if you buy or accept those drugs.
So, make sure your online pharmacy requires you to upload a prescription for each drug you order. It sounds simple, but that’s the easiest way to know if you’re dealing with a legitimate business or not.
To keep your prescriptions safe, only upload them to the site and keep them offline, not on a cloud storage drive.
Do: Make Sure They Have a State License
All legal pharmacies must be licensed by their state board or other official regulators – the names of the certifying organizations change depending on where you are. If you’re not sure, you can look up “pharmacy licensing (your state)”, find the search tool, and look up the online pharmacy there.
There should be a seal or logo on the pharmacy’s website that lets you know they’re up-to-date and qualified to provide medication.
Do: Make Sure They Have a Phone Number Manned by Real People
Another way to avoid scam sites is to make sure they provide easy-to-find and legitimate contact methods. Scam sites want to be as hard-to-contact as possible so you can’t get your money back if you placed “an order”.
Legitimate online pharmacies will have someone who can answer your questions or even help you set up your account over the phone.
Don’t: Stick to American Sites Only
If you live in the US, then you know we are paying way more for healthcare than the rest of the world. Instead, look for places you can refill RX online to legally source from Canada or other cheaper countries.
They should meet the same qualifications as above – but the prices will be cheaper!
How to Safely Buy Medicine Online
Now that you know some quick does and don’ts, hopefully, you feel comfortable filling your prescription online – as well as your groceries. And while you can’t quite yet buy medicine on Amazon Prime – the shipping times on these online pharmacies will still impress you.
Speaking of impressing you — we have tons of content on our site that you’ll love. Keep reading!
