Online shopping for health-related products and services is on the rise, but it probably won’t render “brick and mortar” pharmacies obsolete anytime soon. A quick search of the Internet turns up hundreds of websites selling drugs and medical supplies. Many are lawful enterprises that offer convenience, privacy and the same safeguards as traditional drugstores.
The FDA’s BeSafeRx page has tips to help consumers find safe, legitimate online pharmacies. It also lists warnings to watch for, such as a website that looks like a real storefront but doesn’t have a licensed pharmacist on staff. It also warns against buying medicines from unauthorized online pharmacies, which could sell illegally produced or expired medications that may not have been stored correctly or shipped in adherence with the law.
Even if you have insurance, you might be able to get a better price on your drugs by shopping around. You can try searching for coupons on the drugmakers’ websites or using a free prescription savings card. Cards like GoodRx and WebMDRx can often save you up to 85% on your prescriptions. You can also ask your doctor point-blank for a generic medication instead of the name brand, which is typically much cheaper.
Mail-order and online pharmacy offerings are already a reality, and they show promise for disrupting the market with more personalized experiences. Moreover, they can work to bridge the gap in consumer engagement with high-touch, personal services, such as video telehealth visits and on-demand pharmacist support. combo of urls and product name ie Buy TB508