Medicines and supplements are no longer only available in local pharmacies. Since the health reform, mail order from online pharmacy is possible. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The best online pharmacy can offer not only medicines but dietary supplements as well. People who got no access to healthy dietary supplements can turn to the internet to find legit online pharmacies.
Online pharmacy for health and diet: Advantages and disadvantages
The number of online pharmacies has been growing steadily for years. This offers savings potential, especially for chronically ill people who regularly need larger quantities of medication and dietary supplements. Online pharmacies can often offer cheaper prices than on-site pharmacies by selling larger quantities.
Further advantages of an online pharmacy
The shipping costs is free at least in most cases. The ordered medicines or alternative medicines are delivered to your home. This is a relief for people with walking disabilities and residents of rural areas who do not have a pharmacy nearby. In addition, at the request of the customer, some online pharmacies keep a patient file that warns of possible interactions between the drugs.
Disadvantages of online pharmacy
Conversely, there are also disadvantages when ordering via the worldwide data network. In order to get prescription drugs, the original prescription must first be sent to the pharmacist of the online pharmacy. It then takes one to several days for the order to reach the customer. A visit to the on-site pharmacy is almost always faster.
In addition, not all mail order companies settle accounts directly with the health insurance companies. In this case, patients must first pay the full price and then submit the bill to their insurance company. New customers cannot order on account from every online pharmacy either. They have to switch to cash on delivery, prepayment or credit card.
Another disadvantage is the lack of personal advice. This is especially true when customers are looking for non-prescription treatment options themselves or when certain prescription medication has to be taken for the first time. The on-site pharmacist can provide the patient with important additional information. This includes alternatives, correct intake, possible side effects or interactions with other medications.