Safe Canadian and International Online Pharmacies Exist
Safe online pharmacies with lower drug prices help people afford treatments they need. We launched PharmacyChecker in 2003 to fill a gap in FDA regulation oversight by providing consumers with critical information to safely order prescription drugs from a licensed Canadian or other international online pharmacy. It’s vital to get the word out about this affordable access to legitimate prescription medication.
PharmacyChecker online pharmacy verifications and drug price comparisons are referenced in media sources, such as AARP Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, the New York Times, Kaiser Health News, and many others.
How do Americans find the best Canadian or international online pharmacy?
I can’t say which one is “best” and that’s not what PharmacyChecker does. But what I can say is that if you purchase medication online from a PharmacyChecker-accredited website, your order will be reviewed by a licensed pharmacist and dispensed from a licensed pharmacy. The PharmacyChecker Verification Program is run by Dr. Shivam Patel, a licensed pharmacist in Massachusetts.
What about the legality? Is ordering prescription drugs from an online pharmacy legal?
Yes, you can order a prescription drug online and if you’re getting it domestically from a pharmacy licensed in your state then it’s entirely legal. However, if you are considering purchasing medication from outside the U.S., be aware that, in most circumstances, it is technically not legal for individuals to import prescription drugs; however, U.S. government officials have stated that individuals who order non-controlled prescription drugs from Canada or other foreign sources for up to a three-month supply for their own use are not pursued or prosecuted. And millions of people do it each year.
What does PharmacyChecker verify?
PharmacyChecker.com verifies and monitors that an online pharmacy meets the following qualifications:
- Prescription orders are dispensed by pharmacies that are licensed and independently accredited by PharmacyChecker
- Requires valid prescriptions
- Meets website security requirements
- Publishes customer privacy policy on website
- Publishes contact information on website for customer service
- Availability of pharmacist consultations for customers
- Quantities are restricted to a maximum of 3 months’ supply at a time for international orders
- Disclosure of pharmacy location to consumer prior to purchase
Additional standards can be found on our PharmacyChecker Verification Program page. I’m very proud of the high standards that we continue to amend to keep patients safe when they shop online.
What is a Tier 1 online pharmacy?
Online pharmacies with the Tier 1 icon only fill prescription orders through their own pharmacy or dispensing pharmacy partners in the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. Such countries are recognized by the U.S. FDA as having advanced pharmaceutical and pharmacy regulatory systems. Please note that all PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacies (tier 1 and non-tier 1) meet the same high standards required for accreditation in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program. The Tier 1 designation helps those people who feel more secure buying medicines from a pharmacy in a high-income country.
Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments. It’s understandable to be wary, but if it’s a question of skipping your meds due to cost, it’s not worth going uninformed about your options. I’m here to help.
