Did you know that in 2018, the U.S. spent a whopping $3.65 trillion on health care alone?
That’s right!
Of that figure, $476.2 billion went toward prescription sales. That’s a staggering 5.5% increase from prescription spending the year before.
And as if that’s not enough, experts predict that drug spending will continue to rise between 4% and 6% this 2019.
All this explains why one-third of uninsured Americans can’t take their prescribed meds. They’re skipping necessary medications because they can no longer afford it.
It doesn’t have to be the same for you though, so long as you know how to find cheap prescription drugs.
Ready to stay on top of your health without worrying about such high medication costs? Then keep reading, as we’ll let you in on how to find affordable, yet quality prescription drugs!
Why More People Are Turning to Online Prescription Medication Sources
In 2014, one in four adults aged 69 and older purchased their medicines online. One in five baby boomers also opted for online drug purchases. Clearly, the older generations prefer shopping for their medications online.
One reason is that branded prescription meds in the U.S. are two to six times more expensive than anywhere else. This is a huge problem for older adults who are no longer employed. As such, many of them turn to online pharmacies, some of which have prices that are 50% to 80% lower than in the US.
There’s also the convenience factor, which is especially important for the aging population. More so for adults who suffer from mobility issues.
But it’s not just convenience though. More studies are finding evidence of improved health with mail-order pharmacy use. After all, lowered prices mean patients no longer have to skip their meds to cut costs.
Being able to follow prescriptions to a T then improves medication adherence. Ultimately, this will translate into better health outcomes.
As you can see, there are quite a lot of benefits to buying prescription drugs online. However, you shouldn’t just buy from the first “online pharmacy” that you find. You need to dig deeper as you want to make certain you’re not buying adulterated medications.
Buy Prescription Drugs Only from a Licensed, Legit Online Pharmacy
You need to be very cautious when you buy prescription drugs online. Some websites may only be masquerading as pharmacies but are actually selling counterfeits. These drugs may not work at all, or worse, cause serious side effects.
That said, there are a few signs that’ll help you determine the legitimacy of an online pharmacy. Be sure to look for the following before you provide any of your sensitive info, such as credit card details.
Always Requires Written Prescription for Prescription Meds
Prescription drugs are strictly regulated because of their high potency ingredients. Misuse of these ingredients (or the drug itself) can also cause serious side effects. Moreover, they’re designed for the treatment of specific ailments, like diabetes and hypertension.
To prevent the misuse of such drugs, their use always requires the input of a doctor. That’s why people can only purchase them if they have a written doctor’s prescription. No prescription, no sales.
Keep in mind that no pharmacy can sell prescription meds if there is no prescription. If you encounter a website that tells you otherwise, you’re likely dealing with a shady entity. Leave the site ASAP as it’s highly possible that it’s a fake.
Again, prescriptions for prescription drugs are a legal requirement. Only legitimate pharmacies will always ask you for this before you can order meds from them.
Has a Complete Physical Address
Make sure that the internet pharmacy has a verifiable physical address, and not only a P.O. box.
Just because they transact online doesn’t mean it’s fine if they don’t have a physical address. They still need to be a licensed entity, and for that, they need to have an actual brick and mortar location. It may be their main office, headquarters, or primary retail pharmacy location.
The important thing is, be sure you confirm that they are in that location! By knowing that you can find them easily, you won’t worry that much in case you have an issue with your purchases.
Look for logos that confirm the site’s legitimacy too. One is the Pharmacy Checker logo, granted only to reputable, licensed pharmacies. Here’s a page where you can find out more info about verifying e-pharmacy legitimacy.
Take Advantage of Coupons
This year, an estimated 142 million Americans will use coupons. Yes, as in discount coupons, which you can also use when purchasing medications online!
These coupons are available for most prescription drugs, so you’re likely to find a few for your own meds. Be sure to look them up first, as you can get a few dollars off your final bill. And while that may seem small, it does add up over time, especially if you take multiple prescriptions.
Consider Going Generic
To maximize your savings from buying prescription meds online, consider going generic. But make sure you consult your doctor first and ask them what alternatives you have.
Generic drugs could save you a lot — some of them can cost up to 85% less than their branded counterparts. Also, you don’t worry about their safety and efficacy. The FDA enforces strict testing procedures before allowing generic drugs into the market.
Save on High-Quality But Cheap Prescription Drugs Now
There you have it, your ultimate guide to finding cheap prescription drugs that do work. So long as you follow our tips, you can avoid shady websites that may only run off with your money. Instead, you can focus on getting better and saving at the same time.
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