Online pharmacies make filling prescriptions fast and convenient delivering your medications right to the front door.
For the elderly, people recovering from serious illness and those rehabbing from serious injuries online pharmacies have become indispensable.
Below, our panel of health and wellness experts present their list of the 17 most important benefits of online pharmacies.
17 Benefits Of Online Pharmacies
Online pharmacies make life simpler for those unable to venture out to fill prescriptions and for those who simply don’t have time in their hectic schedule to make a trip to the pharmacy. Below is our list of the most important benefits provided by online pharmacies.
1: Online pharmacies are convenient.
With an online pharmacy, you can order whatever kind of non-narcotic medication you need in the privacy of your own home and have it delivered to your doorstep. It is a level of convenience that was unthinkable in the not too distant past.
2: Online pharmacies can save you money.
Although the primary benefit of online pharmacies is convenience, there is also the possibility you might save a significant amount of money. It will depend on the type of medication you need, how much you purchase and where the medicine is sourced from. Medications sourced from Canada, for instance, are typically less expensive (1) than those sourced from the US.
3: Online pharmacies are legal.
At least the best ones are. In any type of business you are going to have those who operate on the margins, who skirt laws in an effort to cash in on demand. But there are many online pharmacies that provide high-quality medications for people in need and do so within a completely legal framework. This allows you to obtain the meds you need without worrying about legal repercussions.
4: Online pharmacies save you time.
Unless you live in the city center, it is probably a long way to the nearest pharmacy. If you have a busy professional and personal life, any such errands you can eliminate will save time for more important things. Ordering your medication through an online pharmacy typically takes just a few minutes and can be done while enjoying your morning coffee or before sitting down to eat lunch.
5: Online pharmacies offer a wide array of prescription medications.
Most online pharmacies carry a plethora of popular medications including allergy meds, antibiotics, antifungals (2), erectile dysfunction meds, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, seizure medications, and more. The only things you will not find at a reputable online pharmacy are Schedule II controlled substances (3), including opioids.
6: Online pharmacies provide over the counter medications too.
While you are purchasing the prescription meds you need, you might also want to pick up some NSAIDs, allergy meds, heartburn meds, or other OTC medications. That way, you always have enough on hand. It can save you a trip to the store and may save you money.
7: Online pharmacies are discreet.
When you purchase your medication through an online pharmacy, you are the only one who knows. You do not have to stand in line at the drugstore, prescription in hand, waiting to be served. Your medication is delivered to your home in a discreet package, your credit card bill does not indicate what you bought, and you can go on about your life confident that your business stays your business.
8: Online pharmacies are safe.
When you purchase your medication through one of the online pharmacies profiled above, you do not have to worry about the safety and efficacy of the meds you receive. Reputable online pharmacies sell only high-quality brand name or prescription drugs. They do not traffic in potentially dangerous or watered down counterfeit drugs that so many fake online pharmacies specialize in.
9: Online pharmacies often deliver overnight.
If you are running out of an important medication, you cannot afford to wait. Different online pharmacies offer different shipping options. Some offer overnight shipping to certain places. So if you need something in a hurry, make sure to buy from a pharmacy that provides some type of expedited shipping.
10: Online pharmacies can arrange a prescription for you.
If you do not have a prescription for a particular medication, many online pharmacies will put you in touch with an affiliated medical professional who can prescribe it for you. You will need to consult with them either via a chat feature or by phone. If they determine your need is genuine and the medication you need is not a controlled substance, they will likely issue a prescription for you.
11: Online pharmacies typically ship to all 50 states.
Even if you live in Alaska or Hawaii there are many legitimate online pharmacies that will ship to you. You do not have to rely solely on the local pharmacy for your medications. Be aware, however, that due to current air travel restrictions delivery by air is likely to take some time. So plan ahead.
12: Online pharmacies are an immense help for seniors.
Seniors typically need more medications than younger folks. But at the same time, many seniors are understandably wary about venturing out during the winter when the risk of falling and breaking a bone is ever-present (4). Ordering medications through an online pharmacy ensures they get the medication they need without endangering their long-term health.
13: Online pharmacies are a great choice for others with mobility issues.
People confined to a wheelchair or dealing with other non-age-related mobility issues will also find online pharmacies to be a big help. They do not have to worry about navigating slippery sidewalks or arranging for transportation to take them to the pharmacy. They can get what they need using a PC or smartphone, and it will be delivered right to their door.
14: Online pharmacies offer generic equivalents.
With the cost of name brand prescription drugs so high these days, anything you can do to save a few dollars is a good thing. Most online pharmacies offer generic equivalents to brand name drugs that are every bit as potent and reliable as their more expensive counterparts (5). It is an excellent way for any budget-conscious person to get the meds they need without going broke.
15: Online pharmacies often accept insurance.
Many of the best online pharmacies will work with major insurance plans. So if you are covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield or some other similarly well-known insurance, there is a good chance the online pharmacy will accept it. Just make sure you verify this first.
16: Some online pharmacies will work with Medicare.
There are not a lot of them, but some online pharmacies, including Walgreens on our list, will work with your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. These select online pharmacies will also accept Medicare Advantage plans that include a prescription drug component. A win-win for many seniors.
17: Online pharmacies make your life easier.
The bottom line with online pharmacies is that they make your life a little easier and, for those with mobility issues, safer. They let you keep your private business private, enable you to save money, save you trips to the brick and mortar pharmacy, and can even save you a trip to the doctor’s office by supplying you with a prescription.
Conclusion
Online pharmacies are convenient, safe and affordable. They help those who may be housebound due to age, illness or injury obtain the medications they need. Online pharmacies are open 24/7/365, with most accepting insurance and Medicare and delivering to all 50 states. If you don’t have the time or the ability to make a trip to your local brick and mortar pharmacy consider using an online pharmacy.