Are Online Pharmacies A Viable Alternative? Gather The Facts and Decide
Online pharmacies are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for people looking to save on their prescription costs. Convenience is another big attraction of online pharmacies, especially to people living in remote areas or people living busy lives. It's easy -- order from the convenience of your own home computer, and with efficiency the drugs are delivered to your door or in your mail.
Sounds simple and it is, as long as you are using a reputable online pharmacy. But, there are a number of online pharmacies in operation which are designed to be rip-offs. You should follow certain guidelines when considering an online pharmacy so that the experience will leave you safe, and not sorry.
Making The Newer Drugs Affordable
For most arthritis patients, prescription drugs are the most significant part of their treatment program. In the past decade, many arthritis drugs have become FDA-approved. Some of these drugs include:
- Celebrex (Celecoxib)
- Arava (Leflunomide)
- Enbrel (Etanercept)
- Remicade (Infliximab)
- Humira (Adalimumab)
As each new drug made its debut, it became apparent that their cost was high, so high that the new drugs were unaffordable to people lacking prescription coverage as part of their health insurance. What's so great about new, breakthrough drugs if you cannot afford to buy them? Good question. That's the frustration which torments many people suffering with chronic arthritis.
Higher Premiums And Co-Pays
The exorbitant cost of many new drugs has made the words "accessibility", "price control", and "shop around", popular jargon. Although people with no prescription coverage are clearly affected the most, even people who do have a drug plan as part of their health insurance feel the impact of the problem as cost is passed on to them indirectly through higher insurance premiums and co-pays.
Are Online Pharmacies The Answer? Where Do You Start?
After reading through the suggested guidelines, and determining which online pharmacies are certified by checking the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and VIPPS, start by going to the website of the online pharmacy you wish to use. At the online pharmacy, you can fill new prescriptions or transfer existing prescriptions from your current pharmacy. You will need to set up a free, private, secure account.
- Your doctor can phone, fax, or mail in your prescription to the online pharmacy.
- You can mail a written prescription to the online pharmacy. Remember to allow enough time for them to receive and process your first order.
- You can ask your current pharmacy to phone or fax in the prescription.
- The online pharmacy can phone the pharmacy currently holding the prescription.
Price is determined after the prescription is received and verified, and after insurance information is processed. Depending on the application of co-pays and/or deductibles you will be sent a confirmation e-mail which will indicate the final cost.
Price Comparison
Currently, there are several VIPPS certified online pharmacies. By accessing the websites of online pharmacies, it is possible to do price comparison of particular medications. The comparison is even more meaningful when you compare to several local pharmacies in your area. You must determine if the cost cutting and convenience suits your needs.
