A growing number of consumers are buying their meds online to save time and money. Online pharmacies operate 24/7, offering thousands of products that are either too costly or hard to find in traditional drug stores.
The global pharmacy market will be worth over $128 billion by 2023. That’s about four times more compared to 2014.
According to a recent survey, consumers prefer online pharmacies for their convenience and low prices, among other factors.
Internet-based pharmacies often sell cheap prescription drugs that would cost a lot more in local stores. Plus, customers can easily compare prices and get the information they need to make the right choice.
Online shopping can significantly lower your prescription drug costs. For further savings, use these tips the next time you order medicines over the Internet!
1. Research Your Options
There are approximately 30,000 to 50,000 online pharmacies in the United States alone. Many of them operate from India, Canada, and other countries where the costs of prescription drugs are much lower compared to the U.S. Unfortunately, not all of them are legitimate.
Do a quick online search for Web-based pharmacies. Next, research each company and read customer reviews. Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out more about the suppliers you’re interested in.
Look beyond the price. While it’s true that online medications are often cheaper than those found in traditional drug stores, they may be counterfeited or contaminated with heavy metals and chemicals. That’s why it’s important to choose a trusted online pharmacy.
For example, if you search PricePro Pharmacy online, you’ll find hundreds of positive reviews from current and previous customers.
Furthermore, the company is listed with the Better Business Bureau and has zero complaints. Its line of products features cheap prescription drugs for diabetes, lupus, anxiety, high blood pressure, and other common (and less common) ailments.
All in all, these findings indicate that PricePro Pharmacy is an online supplier that you can trust.
Repeat the process for each drug store and then choose one that best suits your needs — and your budget.
2. Go Generic
Choosing generic drugs over brand-name medications could save you hundreds of dollars. Generics are typically cheaper and work just as well as their brand-name counterparts.
About half of all brand-name medications on the U.S. market have generic versions. All you need to do is to go online and search for branded drugs and their generic equivalents.
Lorazepam, for example, is the generic version of Ativan. Benzoyl peroxide is the same as Benzamycin, but it comes with a lower price tag. If your doctor has prescribed Prozac, you may use fluoxetine instead.
The FDA offers a helpful tool to make your search easier. Simply enter the drug’s proprietary name or active ingredient in the designated field to find its generic equivalent.
3. Use Manufacturer Coupons
Another way to save money on prescriptions is to use manufacturer coupons. Access the manufacturer’s website and check the current promotions. Visit its social media pages as well.
Many drug manufacturers and suppliers advertise their latest deals online. Some offer coupon codes that you may use in any online store when ordering their products.
In general, these coupons are offered for new medications or seasonal products.
Beware, though, that some coupons cannot be used if you Medicare or Medicaid.
4. Buy Medical Supplies in Bulk
Many online pharmacies offer discounts on medical supplies and drugs purchased in bulk. The more you buy, the higher the savings.
For example, if you have diabetes, you can order glucose meter strips in bulk to get a discount.
Consider asking your doctor for a bulk prescription. Not all drugs can be prescribed in bulk, but it’s worth trying.
For instance, you could ask your healthcare provider for a three-month supply and then purchase everything online.
5. Shop Around
The cost of prescription meds varies from one supplier to the next and from state to state. The difference can be significant.
Shop around for a good deal and compare prices on a like-for-like basis. Just make sure you’re comparing equivalent doses.
Use online comparison tools to check prices at multiple online pharmacies. GoodRx, PharmacyChecker.com, WeRx.org, and Blink Health are just a few examples.
These websites often negotiate prices with local and international pharmacy chains, passing the savings on to customers.
6. Buy Cheap Prescription Drugs from Outside the U.S.
About 8 percent of Americans have purchased medications from outside the U.S in 2016. Their number has increased since then.
Canadian online pharmacies, for instance, typically offer the same drugs you’d find in U.S. pharmacies — but at significantly lower prices. Some medications are half the price of those sold in U.S. drug stores.
Online suppliers also save money by cutting out the middleman, so the savings will add up.
7. Consider Splitting Your Pills
Pill-splitting is by far one of the best ways to save money on prescriptions. This practice involves purchasing double doses of your meds and splitting them in half so you only take the amount prescribed by your doctor.
Double doses often have a similar price as standard doses, meaning that you could save up to 50 percent on your medications.
However, not all meds are available in double doses. Generally, extended-release pills, capsules, small tablets, and those with a hard outer coat at either difficult to split or may become less effective if split in half.
Consult with your doctor beforehand. For example, if your meds come in capsule form, ask if he could prescribe tablets so that you can split them into several doses.
Saving Money on Prescription Drugs Isn’t That Difficult
As you see, there are plenty of ways to get cheap prescription drugs without putting your health at risk. Take the time to shop around, compare prices, and look for discounts. Choose generic drugs over brand-name medications to reduce the
Looking for other tips to make savings? Perhaps you’re searching for natural remedies that actually work? Browse our Health section for information you can trust!
