Is your Online Pharmacy Safe......

Tuesday, May 27 2008

With today’s fast-paced world, a prevalent “I want it now” mentality and the convenience that the internet offers, it’s no wonder online pharmacies can be found all over the internet.

However, one cause for concern is the majority of online pharmacies that operate outside of the law. Many of these companies have a complete disregard for consumer safety and the code of ethics prevalent in the medical industry. Ever since the very first pharmacies moved to an online platform in the late 1990s, an overwhelming number of them have debuted online.

Make sure to read "Top Five Reasons to Order From an Online Pharmacy" before purchasing medications online.

Be Aware of Who You Are Dealing With

First and foremost, there are a certain amount of legitimate online pharmacies. But a buyer should be sure to gather certain bits of information before even considering to make an online purchase for prescription medications.

A convenient way to order medications online without waiting at a doctor’s office for a consultation and prescription is certainly appealing. Unfortunately, many illegitimate online pharmacies realize this and lure consumers who are unaware of their misgivings.

Many illegitimate companies rip off consumers with fake products or illegal, generic versions of the brand-name medications they seek, oftentimes without providing a prescription, as is mandated by federal law. This may be exactly what some consumers are looking for, but based on the unknown contents of counterfeit drugs, and the fact a doctor has not properly considered the patient’s medical and health information, these types of consumers are putting themselves in harms way.

Rest assured world policing agencies are well aware of this sweeping problem. However, due to the sheer number of illegal entities in operation, authorities are barely stemming the tide. They are able to shut down only one seedy outfit at a time. Many of these agencies are also plagued by a lack of funding, which further strains their efforts.

What To Look For

The reasons above are why all consumers must educate themselves. Everyone should learn about what to look for in online drugstores, and the key signs that one may be operating illegally. Fortunately there are ways to protect you and your family from these unscrupulous and illegal entities.

Following are some key things to look out for when buying medications online. Once you arm yourself with this knowledge, you will be very confident in your ability to order from a legitimate online pharmacy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a detailed article on the warning signs that delineate a fraudulent online pharmacy from one that is legitimate.
 
Here are the key things to keep an eye out for that should help you to determine whether or not the online pharmacy you are considering is legal and safe:

• Do they have U.S.-licensed physicians that write the prescriptions, or do they require you to submit one? Either option is permissible.
• Do they have U.S. licensed pharmacists that dispense the drugs?
• Do they require a medical history form to be filled out prior to prescribing medication?
• Are they a U.S-based company, and do they provide a U.S. mailing address on their site?
• Do they have real people you can talk to via live web-chat or toll-free telephone?
• Does their website provide SSL encryption on all financial transactions?
• Have they been in business for a substantial length of time?
• Do they offer only brand-name, FDA-approved drugs?

If you answered all of these questions with a “yes,” you have found a legitimate online pharmacy. However, as you do your research, you will find that most online pharmacies can be eliminated from your consideration because of the “no” answers to many of the above questions.

Accessrx.com is one safe online pharmacy that easily meets all the above requirements, and has been in business for more than a decade. In fact, they happen to be one of the oldest and most respected online pharmacies in the industry. They have gone to great lengths to protect their customers by offering a convenient, safe, and secure way to get the brand-name, authentic medications that they need – all from the convenience of their home computer.