Jane Fern's Pharmacists Guide
Friday, November 27, 2009
Canadian Pharmacy Online
Are Canadian Pharmacy Online Services Safe?
There has been much ado lately about Canadian Pharmacy Online medications. Everyone is concerned about the rising costs of prescription medication. As the American public and particularly the "Baby Boomers" age, more medication is often required to maintain quality of life and to control chronic illness. Many do not have proper prescription drug insurance coverage.
The recent negative media pointed at Canadian Pharmacy mail order prescription services has caused some people to be a little leery of them. Customs has on occasion, confiscated medications crossing the border because required documentation was missing or incorrect. Another issue with mail order services is that some do not supply the identical medications. And of course there is always some rotten apple working the angles.
Some people have turned to Asian mail order medication services only to learn that what they received was the wrong medication or did not contain the correct dosage as prescribed by their U.S. doctor. Asian and Mexican mail order medication services are not governed by the same strict guidelines as those in the U.S. and those that control the Canadian Pharmacy industry.
All is Not Lost Though
There are safe, cost-effective, legal mail order prescription services available. Here is what to look for when selecting a Canadian Pharmacy service.
* Does the mail order service require your doctor provide proof, and do they confirm the prescription with your doctor?
* Does a licensed doctor (in the country providing the prescription) co-sign that prescription once verified by your doctor?
* Do the medications originate in a country known to provide identical medications as those available in the United States, such as Canadian Pharmacy Online services provide?
* Does the mail order prescription service provide significant savings over U.S. drug costs, like 30% or more?
* Will the mail order company provide prompt service, making certain that all the documentation to clear U.S. Customs is precise?
If you are considering a Canadian Pharmacy for some or all of your prescriptions and they meet ALL of the above criteria, then you can save money and get medication you can trust.
Most Americans today who use mail order medication services have found many Canadian Pharmacy services that meet all the criteria above. These are reliable, safe and cost-effective services. These Canadian Pharmacy services provide the identical medications or generic equivalent, ensuring you receive precisely what is prescribed by your doctor.
By using a Canadian Pharmacy Online prescription service, you can save as much as 30% or more. If you're considering Medicare Part D, Canadian Pharmacy savings can be especially important because of the "donut hole" which makes amounts from $2150 to $5100 your responsibility.
Using a Canadian Pharmacy mail order service can enhance your coverage on Medicare Part D and help you avoid reaching that dreaded "donut hole".
There has been much ado lately about Canadian Pharmacy Online medications. Everyone is concerned about the rising costs of prescription medication. As the American public and particularly the "Baby Boomers" age, more medication is often required to maintain quality of life and to control chronic illness. Many do not have proper prescription drug insurance coverage.
The recent negative media pointed at Canadian Pharmacy mail order prescription services has caused some people to be a little leery of them. Customs has on occasion, confiscated medications crossing the border because required documentation was missing or incorrect. Another issue with mail order services is that some do not supply the identical medications. And of course there is always some rotten apple working the angles.
Some people have turned to Asian mail order medication services only to learn that what they received was the wrong medication or did not contain the correct dosage as prescribed by their U.S. doctor. Asian and Mexican mail order medication services are not governed by the same strict guidelines as those in the U.S. and those that control the Canadian Pharmacy industry.
All is Not Lost Though
There are safe, cost-effective, legal mail order prescription services available. Here is what to look for when selecting a Canadian Pharmacy service.
* Does the mail order service require your doctor provide proof, and do they confirm the prescription with your doctor?
* Does a licensed doctor (in the country providing the prescription) co-sign that prescription once verified by your doctor?
* Do the medications originate in a country known to provide identical medications as those available in the United States, such as Canadian Pharmacy Online services provide?
* Does the mail order prescription service provide significant savings over U.S. drug costs, like 30% or more?
* Will the mail order company provide prompt service, making certain that all the documentation to clear U.S. Customs is precise?
If you are considering a Canadian Pharmacy for some or all of your prescriptions and they meet ALL of the above criteria, then you can save money and get medication you can trust.
Most Americans today who use mail order medication services have found many Canadian Pharmacy services that meet all the criteria above. These are reliable, safe and cost-effective services. These Canadian Pharmacy services provide the identical medications or generic equivalent, ensuring you receive precisely what is prescribed by your doctor.
By using a Canadian Pharmacy Online prescription service, you can save as much as 30% or more. If you're considering Medicare Part D, Canadian Pharmacy savings can be especially important because of the "donut hole" which makes amounts from $2150 to $5100 your responsibility.
Using a Canadian Pharmacy mail order service can enhance your coverage on Medicare Part D and help you avoid reaching that dreaded "donut hole".
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Need For Cheaper Medicine
People are becoming more and more practical in the way they spend money. We always try to look for ways to save as much money as we can. This is the reason why there are stores coming out left and right selling clothes at discounted prices, fast food chains being set up selling huge servings of food at low prices as compared to home-cooked meals, and most recently drugstores setting up shop on the Internet selling prescription medications at very cheap prices. But are they safe?
A lot of people want to know where to buy cheap medicine online. Senior citizens need it because most health care plans do not cover the cost of medication. People who live in tight budget could use the savings to help them with other expenses. In both cases, the extra money saved in the cost of the prescription will help them a lot.
But with the thousands of Internet pharmacies currently in operation, how can you distinguish a good online drugstore from a bad one. Here are some things to watch out for:
· A good Internet-based drugstore is licensed by your local pharmacy board to operate in and/or sell medications to your state. Every pharmacy, be it land-based or on the web, needs to be inspected and certified by the local board before they can start selling medicines.
· A legal pharmacy doing business in the World Wide Web should be accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or NABP. This means that they have passed the organization’s inspection and have met the necessary standards required from an online drugstore. Also, being accredited by the NABP means that the web-based drugstore company is a part of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites or VIPPS.
· An honest Internet pharmacy should ask you for a proper prescription before they sell you medications. This is in accordance to pharmacy policies that prescription drugs can only be dispensed to people with prescription notes. The prescription note serves as a confirmation that a buyer had sought the consult of a physician and was indeed endorsed to take the prescription drug he wants to buy.
· In cases of online pharmacies that do not require a prescription note, some of them offer an online consultation service with a licensed doctor through voice chatting and webcam. This is beneficial to people who are unable to leave home to see a doctor. But customers must be cautious in dealing with web-based drugstores that offer to sell prescription medicines without requiring a prescription or offering a consult service, this may be an indication that the drugstore company is illegal.
· An Internet drugstore that does not hide anything from its consumers will not hide its stand on protecting your privacy. Look for an online pharmacy that has a clear privacy procedure to protect all the information you submit to their website.
To protect your privacy and your health, do not make transactions with online pharmacy websites that you feel are suspicious. Contact your local pharmacy board to report these kinds of companies to protect your rights as a consumer.
A lot of people want to know where to buy cheap medicine online. Senior citizens need it because most health care plans do not cover the cost of medication. People who live in tight budget could use the savings to help them with other expenses. In both cases, the extra money saved in the cost of the prescription will help them a lot.
But with the thousands of Internet pharmacies currently in operation, how can you distinguish a good online drugstore from a bad one. Here are some things to watch out for:
· A good Internet-based drugstore is licensed by your local pharmacy board to operate in and/or sell medications to your state. Every pharmacy, be it land-based or on the web, needs to be inspected and certified by the local board before they can start selling medicines.
· A legal pharmacy doing business in the World Wide Web should be accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or NABP. This means that they have passed the organization’s inspection and have met the necessary standards required from an online drugstore. Also, being accredited by the NABP means that the web-based drugstore company is a part of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites or VIPPS.
· An honest Internet pharmacy should ask you for a proper prescription before they sell you medications. This is in accordance to pharmacy policies that prescription drugs can only be dispensed to people with prescription notes. The prescription note serves as a confirmation that a buyer had sought the consult of a physician and was indeed endorsed to take the prescription drug he wants to buy.
· In cases of online pharmacies that do not require a prescription note, some of them offer an online consultation service with a licensed doctor through voice chatting and webcam. This is beneficial to people who are unable to leave home to see a doctor. But customers must be cautious in dealing with web-based drugstores that offer to sell prescription medicines without requiring a prescription or offering a consult service, this may be an indication that the drugstore company is illegal.
· An Internet drugstore that does not hide anything from its consumers will not hide its stand on protecting your privacy. Look for an online pharmacy that has a clear privacy procedure to protect all the information you submit to their website.
To protect your privacy and your health, do not make transactions with online pharmacy websites that you feel are suspicious. Contact your local pharmacy board to report these kinds of companies to protect your rights as a consumer.
Labels: cheap medicine, internet pharmacy, online drugstore
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Internet Pharmacies: Are They For Real?
Over the past couple of years, prices of basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing have gone up. The cost of health care services was not spared. Its prices started to follow the lead of the other commodities and went up. But even with assurances of high quality services and the latest in modern technology, to the regular Joe, it still meant that keeping healthy now costs more than what it used to be.
Because of the increase in medicine prices imposed by pharmaceutical companies and their retailers, health insurance providers have started adjusting their own terms and have cut out medication costs from the health care plan’s coverage. This did not bode well for senior citizens who were relying on their health care insurances.
And then came online drugstores. They came like a godsend from heaven, answering the consumer’s prayers for an alternative solution to highly priced prescription drugs that are becoming more and more difficult to obtain.
Are web-based pharmacies for real?
People can’t believe the advantages they can get from using Internet-based drugstores. Below are some of the benefits featured by online pharmacies:
· It is very convenient to use. There’s no need to leave the house to buy prescriptions any longer. All you need is a good computer, an Internet connection, and a credit card and you’re all set. With just a few click of the mouse buttons, you’re order is archived for processing. It also saves consumers the hassle of traveling to and from the drugstore to get the medicine.
· It is cost-efficient. Most online drugstores are discount pharmacies that offer prescription drugs at almost half its regular price. Aside from saving on medication costs, it also helps save money on traveling fare as there is no longer a need to leave the house to go to the pharmacy and back.
· It lets consumers order prescription drugs online without a prescription. Although this feature is much debated, people who are unable to afford or physically seek consult from a licensed physician benefit most from this feature.
The other side of the coin
Using Internet pharmacies comes with potential risks. Especially since the transactions are made over the Internet and there running after hoax companies may be more difficult. Here are some of the possible dangers of buying medications online:
· You expose yourself to possible identity theft and credit card fraud. The information you entered through the online drugstore’s medical questionnaire can be used by anomalous individuals to assume your identity and use your information to make purchases or close transactions without your permission.
· You may receive counterfeit medications. Copy-cat drugs are dangerous to use because they might contain hidden ingredients that may trigger a fatal drug interaction or a severe allergic reaction.
Now that you know the good and the bad side of using Internet pharmacies, the decision to buy from them is entirely up to you. Make sure you check the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website to see a complete list of accredited online drugstores that are currently in operation.
Because of the increase in medicine prices imposed by pharmaceutical companies and their retailers, health insurance providers have started adjusting their own terms and have cut out medication costs from the health care plan’s coverage. This did not bode well for senior citizens who were relying on their health care insurances.
And then came online drugstores. They came like a godsend from heaven, answering the consumer’s prayers for an alternative solution to highly priced prescription drugs that are becoming more and more difficult to obtain.
Are web-based pharmacies for real?
People can’t believe the advantages they can get from using Internet-based drugstores. Below are some of the benefits featured by online pharmacies:
· It is very convenient to use. There’s no need to leave the house to buy prescriptions any longer. All you need is a good computer, an Internet connection, and a credit card and you’re all set. With just a few click of the mouse buttons, you’re order is archived for processing. It also saves consumers the hassle of traveling to and from the drugstore to get the medicine.
· It is cost-efficient. Most online drugstores are discount pharmacies that offer prescription drugs at almost half its regular price. Aside from saving on medication costs, it also helps save money on traveling fare as there is no longer a need to leave the house to go to the pharmacy and back.
· It lets consumers order prescription drugs online without a prescription. Although this feature is much debated, people who are unable to afford or physically seek consult from a licensed physician benefit most from this feature.
The other side of the coin
Using Internet pharmacies comes with potential risks. Especially since the transactions are made over the Internet and there running after hoax companies may be more difficult. Here are some of the possible dangers of buying medications online:
· You expose yourself to possible identity theft and credit card fraud. The information you entered through the online drugstore’s medical questionnaire can be used by anomalous individuals to assume your identity and use your information to make purchases or close transactions without your permission.
· You may receive counterfeit medications. Copy-cat drugs are dangerous to use because they might contain hidden ingredients that may trigger a fatal drug interaction or a severe allergic reaction.
Now that you know the good and the bad side of using Internet pharmacies, the decision to buy from them is entirely up to you. Make sure you check the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website to see a complete list of accredited online drugstores that are currently in operation.
Labels: internet pharmacies, online drugstore, prescription drugs online, web-based pharmacies
Friday, November 6, 2009
Are Home Diagnostic Kits Reliable As A Substitute For Professional Medical Opinions?
Let’s face it. A trip to the drugstore is a whole lot easier than a costly and time-consuming trip to the doctor’s office. No time wasted waiting for the physician; no embarrassing questions to answer; and no sticker shock when the bill comes. Just head for the section of your pharmacy with all of the gadgets and home test kits and you are ready to “play doctor.”
With skyrocketing medical costs and increased concerns about privacy, more and more Americans are taking advantage of products designed to help monitor existing conditions or to help diagnose new ones. Blood glucose monitors help diabetics manage their condition, blood pressure kits help monitor hypertension while those with cardiovascular concerns can track cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Of course, home pregnancy kits have been available for years. But now it is possible to go well beyond health management with these off-the-shelf products and individuals can now perform diagnostic tests in the comfort and “safety” of their homes.
But is this trend really safe?
Health care professionals have expressed concerns that the use of home test kits may cause users to delay or avoid proper medical care. Misinterpreting the results of self-administered tests can lead to decisions that are based on false assumptions. For example, there have been reports of people changing their medication dosage based on results of blood pressure readings at home. Decisions about any treatment based on self-administered tests should be deferred until a physician confirms them.
The list of conditions for which home diagnostic products are available is expanding rapidly. It is now possible to test for drug use, alcohol use, HIV, prostate cancer, hormone levels, diabetes, blood type, anemia, allergies, hepatitis, cholesterol levels, fertility and even certain strains of flu.
The opportunity is always present for a user to improperly administer a test or to misunderstand the results. Delaying treatment based on these results could have serious consequences. Now that the number of tests available is so large, and the conditions so potentially serious, it is absolutely critical that these test results be validated by a doctor.
Given this diverse menu of tests, users are sure to get results for which they may be unprepared. A positive reading for HIV could be devastating. Health care professionals are trained to address the concerns and possible psychological issues faced by a patient receiving bad news from a test. Individuals trying to cope with a similar result at home may find themselves alone and unable to cope.
Home health tests should be used with great care and should never be considered as a replacement for proper medical care. If you are seriously concerned about your health and well-being, it is fine to practice a bit of do-it-yourself medicine… as long as you get a second opinion.
With skyrocketing medical costs and increased concerns about privacy, more and more Americans are taking advantage of products designed to help monitor existing conditions or to help diagnose new ones. Blood glucose monitors help diabetics manage their condition, blood pressure kits help monitor hypertension while those with cardiovascular concerns can track cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Of course, home pregnancy kits have been available for years. But now it is possible to go well beyond health management with these off-the-shelf products and individuals can now perform diagnostic tests in the comfort and “safety” of their homes.
But is this trend really safe?
Health care professionals have expressed concerns that the use of home test kits may cause users to delay or avoid proper medical care. Misinterpreting the results of self-administered tests can lead to decisions that are based on false assumptions. For example, there have been reports of people changing their medication dosage based on results of blood pressure readings at home. Decisions about any treatment based on self-administered tests should be deferred until a physician confirms them.
The list of conditions for which home diagnostic products are available is expanding rapidly. It is now possible to test for drug use, alcohol use, HIV, prostate cancer, hormone levels, diabetes, blood type, anemia, allergies, hepatitis, cholesterol levels, fertility and even certain strains of flu.
The opportunity is always present for a user to improperly administer a test or to misunderstand the results. Delaying treatment based on these results could have serious consequences. Now that the number of tests available is so large, and the conditions so potentially serious, it is absolutely critical that these test results be validated by a doctor.
Given this diverse menu of tests, users are sure to get results for which they may be unprepared. A positive reading for HIV could be devastating. Health care professionals are trained to address the concerns and possible psychological issues faced by a patient receiving bad news from a test. Individuals trying to cope with a similar result at home may find themselves alone and unable to cope.
Home health tests should be used with great care and should never be considered as a replacement for proper medical care. If you are seriously concerned about your health and well-being, it is fine to practice a bit of do-it-yourself medicine… as long as you get a second opinion.
Labels: doctor, health, health care, medical, medicine
