Growing medicine costs are creating barriers for people to receive proper health care treatment. Even with prescription insurance assistance, people are facing more of the cost-sharing burden. An online pharmacy is an option where you can spend less money on the same medicines.
Retail v/s Online Pharmacies
According to a survey report, 8.5% of people did not have health insurance at any point in the year 2018 in the US. The rate of uninsured is increased by 7.9% from 2017 in the US. Many people delay or not take up a prescription drug because they can not afford it. In case you are underinsured (having inadequate insurance) or uninsured, you may have to pay the bills from your pocket, and the medicine cost may not be easily affordable (1).
When do we pay for the medications out of pocket;
- When you do not have sufficient health insurance coverage
- When you are uninsured
The retail pharmacies can be referred to as a traditional pharmacy near your neighborhood, hospital, and malls, wherein you have to wait in a queue, speak to pharmacists, and get your prescribed drug. Retail pharmacy is also known as a community pharmacy. Walmart and Walgreens are the famous chains of retail pharmacies in the US.
Online pharmacy is an internet-based merchant that sells medicine online, which includes both Over-The-Counter drugs and prescription drugs. If you are buying a prescribed medication, you may have to submit a scanned copy of your prescription or send an email or fax the prescription to them. In the case of online pharmacies, instead of you going to the pharmacy in person, the medicines are directly delivered to your home.
There are different types of online pharmacies, namely:
- Independent Internet-based
- Retail Pharmacy-based
- Franchise based (3).
Online pharmacies are better and more preferred than retail pharmacies because of many advantages like:
- Improved and easy access for the medicines
- Lesser and better prices for the medicine
- Offers excellent discounts on medicines
- They provide media alerts like reminder services for the refill of regular medicine.
- Accessibility to people in remote areas
- Hassle-free doorstep delivery.
How Safe is an Online Pharmacy?
There are many important things to be checked to ensure a safe online pharmacy for purchasing your drugs. Many unauthorized online sites claim to be legal pharmacies; hence it is essential to check the following list before buying online.
According to the FDA, the guidelines that need to be checked are:
1. Registration and Certification of the Online Pharmacy.
Check for the fully licensed and government registered pharmacy. You can check for the registration at www.safe.pharmacy, created by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. LegitScript is an independent organization that reviews and confirms the legal online pharmacy stores. You can also check in LegitScript.
It is essential to check whether they have a license from the state board of pharmacy. Click on this license checker to verify the license in the state board of pharmacy(4).
2. Online Pharmacies Approve Prescriptions From Licenced Health Professionals
To buy the medicine from an online pharmacy, you require a recent valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. It is also crucial for any online pharmacy to have a U.S. state-licensed pharmacist answer your query concerning the medications they sell.
3. Online Pharmacy Should Have Affiliation With a Recognized Company
There are many unauthorized online pharmacies which start and end in no time. It is very important to know the legalization or authenticity of the pharmacy from which you place the order of your medicines. It is always preferred to get your medication from an online pharmacy that's a part of a renewed and established company.
Why Should You Switch to an Online Pharmacy?
An online pharmacy is safe, hassle-free, gives FDA approved drugs at a better price, and delivers them directly to the customers. This is easy and more convenient than standing in line and waiting at a retail shop. You can place an order by uploading the scanned copy of the prescription given by your physician. In recent times, people prefer an online pharmacy as it is more convenient and offers a lesser price with exciting discounts.
Many experts believe that it's all about convenience, as you don’t have to leave home and wait at a retail shop in person. It is more convenient to get all medications refilled and shipped at one time at less cost. According to the law, whether it’s a mercantile establishment or purchase order, a licensed pharmacist physically checks every prescription before it goes to the recipient. This makes online pharmacies a safer option.
Here is why you would like to decide on a web pharmacy:
1. Online Pharmacy Costs you Less for the Medicines
Online stores decrease the transactional costs and also the costs of buying medicines through a more efficient centralized order-processing system. These savings are passed to customers in the form of prescription costs, and online pharmacies also offer free shipping.
2. Online Pharmacy Helps to Save Time and is Convenient
If you don’t have time and are looking for a hassle-free way to get medications for your family, then an online pharmacy is the right choice for you. Even during the adverse atmospheric condition, the company promises to deliver you the medication at the right time.
3. Online Pharmacy Offers You a Better Discount
If you have chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, or other diseases, you can place the order for 90 days supply or book a refill after 30 days. You’ll typically receive a 90-day medicine for far less than you’d pay at the pharmacy.
4. Online Pharmacies Help You With Automatic Refills
When you have elderly patients at home, you might get into trouble if you forget to refill the medications. The online pharmacy helps you with an automatic refill option; they can send a reminder and refill before you run out the medicine. Some of the pharmacies also contact your physician annually to renew your prescription.
5. Online Pharmacies Provide You With Licensed Pharmacists
If you find some discomfort with your medicines or if you have any concerns, online pharmacies provide support with a team of pharmacists and health professionals 24/7 for 365 days over the phone.
Online Pharmacies are More Affordable. Why?
Online pharmacies decrease transaction costs and the costs of getting pharmaceuticals all through an efficient centralized order-processing system. The lowered procurement and transactional costs are being passed onto consumers in the form of lower prices.
Prices at retail pharmacies are significantly higher because the profit margin is kept at every stage before it reaches the customers from the manufacturers. In a retail pharmacy, the profit margin has been included by industry traders like transportation, distributors, insurance companies, and brokerage.
The privacy provided by the internet helps patients to get information about medicines that they might avoid asking their physician or at an offline pharmacy.
Visiting your doctor and following the prescribed medicines is essential. Purchasing medications from online stores is safe as well; also, it offers more discounts and helps you pay less for medicines (5).
Final Words
If you are looking for medicine at low-cost and at your convenience, then opt for an online pharmacy. This is accessible and more convenient than standing in line and waiting at a retail shop. It is essential to have a broad knowledge before choosing the online pharmacy and remember to check the registration and certification as mentioned above.