Archive for the ‘Pharmacies’ Category

What to Remember When Purchasing Medication Online

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

With the rising costs of prescription pharmaceuticals, many people are turning towards the internet as a tool to affordably purchase their medications. There are several tips that an individual needs to remember when purchasing medication from an online pharmacy. Before you make a purchase from an online pharmacy, you need to make sure that the pharmacy has a reputable reputation.

In some countries, up to 25% of prescriptions purchased online are counterfeit.  Do not let this happen to you. Research an online pharmacy before you purchase your medications. There are several online pharmacies that provide customers with high-quality prescriptions for a terrific price.

How Do I Know if a Pharmacy is Legitimate?

An online pharmacy should have the VIPPS seal of approval; this stands for Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. In order for an online pharmacy to obtain this seal, they must be licensed and pass an inspection by the NABP, or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies.

Another way to know if an online pharmacy is legitimate is if the pharmacy is linked with a pharmacy that is “bricks and mortar.”  This means that you could physically visit the pharmacy in the “real world” and “cyberspace.”  The National Consumers League assures consumers that it is safe to purchase prescription medication at this type of online pharmacy.

What about a Pharmacy That Has an On-Site Doctor?

The FDA does not believe that an online survey of your medical history is a substitute for a face-to-face examination.  Without an exam, it is difficult for your doctor to have a complete record of your medication and medical history.  To mitigate this potential harm, ensure that you provide your doctor with the full scope of your medical history and prescriptions.  The more candid you are about your medical history, the more effective an on-site doctor can be. 

Always Have a Prescription Beforehand

It is much safer if you purchase online medications that your healthcare provider has prescribed for you. If you take a prescription medication without the advice of your doctor, you could be at risk for dangerous drug interactions and adverse reactions. Your healthcare provider will know your medical history and the current condition of your health.

It is important that you only buy online medication from a site that requires a prescription. Make sure that the online pharmacy is in good standing and is licensed. It is also beneficial if the online pharmacy has a licensed pharmacist that will be able to answer all of your questions. A reputable online pharmacy should only sell prescriptions that have been approved, researched, and tested.

The Steps to Purchasing Online Medication Successfully

1)      Purchase medication that you have a prescription for already.

2)      Double-check to see if the online company is licensed and in good standing.

3)      Make sure that there is an online pharmacist on hand.

4)      Ensure that the pharmacy has contact information, where you can call them with your questions and concerns. 

5)      The pharmacy should only allow people to purchase medications that are approved for human use.

6)      Review the privacy policy on the website and ensure that you understand it.

7)      Always check with your healthcare provider before taking a new medication.

Purchasing medications online is a very popular, cost-effective, and convenient way to obtain your prescriptions.  No longer do you have to pay exorbitant fees and wait in long longs at the drug store; instead, you can have your medications delivered right to your door – and save money at the same time.  By taking the measures discussed above, you can fill your prescriptions from the comfort of your own home, with your pocketbook thanking you at the same time. 

A Comprehensive Review of Getpharma

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

Each and every day, the cost of medication is on the rise. Most people cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions when purchased from the local pharmacy, especially senior citizens living on a fixed income. There are online pharmacies that offer prescription medications at affordable prices.  In addition to the economic benefits, online pharmacies, such as Getpharma.com, also offer a myriad of other advantages.

Shopping online for your prescription medications is fast, easy, and convenient. You no longer have to wait in long lines at your local pharmacy, just to find out that your prescription has not even been filled yet. Forget the bother of having to call in to see when your prescription is ready for pickup. At Getpharma.com, you can order your medication online in just minutes. Your medication arrives quickly and discretely in a plain box right to your doorstep.

Getpharma’s Very Own Doctor Med Kober

There are several online pharmacies that do not offer customers the opportunity to talk with a licensed, practicing doctor. Getpharma is not this type of online pharmacy.  This is a reputable firm that is dedicated to providing its patients with top-quality customer service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Getpharma is proud to be working directly with the highly-experienced and skilled Dr. Med Kober.  Dr. Kober is always available for a medical consultation.  He is happy to answer any questions you may have or just to listen to your current medical situation.

Customers are encouraged to ask Dr. Kober for professional advice on any type of medical or health-related subject.  This includes any health problems you may be facing or questions you may have that your doctor did not sufficiently answer.   Dr. Kober is also a great resource for all of those health questions you are too embarrassed or shy to talk about with your doctor.  In addition, if you are just too busy to see a doctor, you can always consult Dr. Med Kober. You are guaranteed that your consultation is secure and private. This is one of the many benefits of ordering your medication through Getpharma.com.

Reasons to Join Getpharma.Com

This is the most professional online pharmacy of its kind. It is important to note that Getpharma is an established operation dedicated to providing its customers with the best medications and service online. At Getpharma, a customer can find the widest range of online medications that are currently available.

Many people are asking themselves, “how much does it cost to sign up?” Membership with Getpharma is absolutely free. At Getpharma.com, one can purchase medicine for Alzheimer’s, asthma, osteoporosis, diabetes, pain, anti-acid, anti-acne, hair loss, weight loss, stop smoking aid, anti-fungus, anti-stress, hypertension, influenza, skin care, hemorrhoids, first aid, epilepsy, vitamins, birth control, tyroides, travel sickness, cholesterol, and more.

There are hundreds of affordable medications available for purchase at Getpharma. The major benefit of using Getpharma is the amount of privacy that is afforded to each customer. Getpharma.com is a safe and secure online pharmacy that does everything to protect their customer’s private information. Ordering your medications online is convenient.  Getpharma is a reputable online pharmacy that saves you time and money, while delivering to your doorstep the exact prescriptions that you need.

Propecia and Drug Counterfeiting

Monday, November 12th, 2007

Slightly over one year ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about counterfeited drugs purchased from Canadian websites. These drugs – all requiring a prescription from a licensed physician – included Lipitor, Diovan, Actonel, Nexium, Hyzaar, Ezetrol (known as Zetia in the United States), Crestor, Celebrex, Arimidex, and Propecia.

The last, Propecia, from Merck & Co., is the first, clinically proven, pharmaceutical treatment to reduce hair loss and even re-grow hair in men. In studies in both the U.S. and abroad, Propecia was shown to restore some or all of the hair in approximately 80% of men who used it for more than two years.

The FDA warned users not to purchase Propecia or other drugs from websites that subscribed to the Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health network. These networks, located in Manitoba, Canada, were apparently (and perhaps unwittingly) selling counterfeited versions of drugs like Propecia to U.S. consumers over the Internet.

The counterfeiting was not a new occurrence. In August of 2005, the FDA conducted an operation at airports in LA, New York, and Miami, and found that almost 50% of drug imports from selected countries were, in fact, fakes that U.S. consumers believed they were buying online from Canadian pharmacies (whose drug prices are cheaper than those in the U.S.). More than two-thirds of the drugs were actually manufactured in countries other than Canada, and nearly a third of those were contaminated or otherwise altered.

Drug counterfeiting is illegal for several very good reasons. Counterfeits cheat consumers, who could – for the same amount or slightly more – buy a real medication like Propecia from a licensed pharmacy. Counterfeits are also dangerous. They may contain fillers like talcum (which was never intended to be ingested) or toxins, which can sicken or kill. If nothing else, they often contain lesser amounts of the intended ingredient (which, in the case of Propecia, is finasteride) and will do nothing whatsoever.

More recently, in Brussels, the Europeans held the first parliamentary symposium intended to address EU drug counterfeiting. The discussion focused on several factors: European and international measures to prevent counterfeiting, newest industry initiatives focused on securing the supply chain of pharmaceuticals, and newly developed technological systems to monitor counterfeited drugs. The symposium acknowledged that, as the speed of transportation increases, the proliferation of counterfeit drugs is becoming an international health menace, and counterfeiters must be prosecuted more severely than international law now provides.

For too long, we have underestimated the drug counterfeiting situation. It used to be marginal, it is now totally industrialized,” said Jean-François Dehecq, the chairman of Aventis.

In September of 2007, a young Nigerian was convicted in a British court of running counterfeit drugs like Propecia through the Bahamas into the U.S. Similar scams are gaining impetus, as borders shrink and trade increases between nations.

If you are using – or plan to use – Propecia, the warning is clear: caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). Purchase your Propecia from a recognized pharmacy in your neighborhood. The Internet, while a superior tool for research and communication, is also a minefield of scammers looking for your dollar and willing to sell you anything to get it. You don’t want your epitaph to read, “Hair today. Gone the next.”