To Buy or Not Buy Medicine Online: Ensure Ideal Health During a Pandemic

2020 has been a year of significant changes in our everyday lives. The world is facing the coronavirus pandemic and people’s health has been affected not only by the virus but also by the many restrictions that have been applied to prevent its spread. Facing lockdowns and quarantines, many have been looking for the best solution to ensure good mental and general health during these uncertain times.

That being said, buying medications online seems to be a growing trend. Shopping online is convenient for many reasons. One of the main ones is that you don’t need to leave the comfort of your home, which is very important these days. If you’re not feeling well, are more vulnerable to serious illness, isolating or in lockdown, getting your medicine online is a great option.

With so many stuck at home, there was an increase in the proportion of sales shifted from physical pharmacy stores to online chemist stores. As this trend is moving upwards continuously, the number of fake online pharmacies rises. So, how can you know that the medications you buy online are safe? Here are a few tips that can help you buy medicine online safely.

How to Tackle the Risks When Buying Online Medicine

No matter how appealing it sounds, you need to be cautious when buying medications online. Some websites may not be legitimate businesses and purchasing from them can have some serious risks to your health and your pocket as well. The key is to get your medicine online from a pharmacy that is legal, safe and meets your need, such as convenience and pricing.

No Wild Claims

If the prices offered are quite cheaper than usual, or if the website claims that they sell products that can heal instantly, think twice before making a purchase. Most likely some of the products are unsafe and not legally available in Australia. First and foremost, always consult your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing medications online as some are available only on prescription.

Company Details Provided and Prescription’s Required

Make sure to buy medicines from an Australian based company that’s completely legal and safe. A legitimate pharmacy site would always show a real physical address, provide an e-mail address and a working phone number as well as credible details about the company, like the company name and ABN (Australian Business Number).

Reputable online pharmacies that have been certified will always display the seal of their certification on their website. A license or certification shows the authenticity of the pharmacy and guarantees the quality of medicine and service.

Also, they will always ask for a valid prescription from a doctor or a health professional before issuing any prescription medication. If they don’t, most probably you’re checking a website that’s breaking the Australian law. A qualified online pharmacy will allow you to contact a pharmacist with regards to your prescription or talk to a customer care agent about any query related to your order. Clarify all you need to know and offer you replacement options if necessary.

Avoid Ordering Medicine Overseas

Purchasing your medicine from overseas websites is not a good idea because their products are not regulated by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administrations), therefore they may not comply with Australian safety and quality standards. The medication might not be on the list of drugs that are allowed into Australia, approved by the Office of Drug Controls and can be prohibited from entering the country unless you have permission for it.

To lower the risks and ensure complete drug information and required dosage, as well as avoid delivery issues, it’s better to stick to purchasing from local suppliers. Take your time, do some research and choose a trusted online pharmacy. This will save you time and money as many of them provide a wide variety of products, discounts, sales and special offers.

Benefits of Buying Medicine Online

Many consumers in Australia have been saving trips to the pharmacy by buying medicine and other therapeutic goods from an online pharmacy even before the pandemic strike. Avoiding long queues and waiting time has been one of the biggest advantages, especially for those leading busy lives, also for the elderly and infirm, as well as for people that live in rural areas.

Easy and Simple Process

Purchasing medications online is simple and easy. With a few clicks, the process that could take your hours is done. You can carefully check the range of available products and place an order whenever you’re ready.

Variety of Choice

Buying from an online pharmacy is beneficial because you can easily find anything you need – prescriptions, vitamins and supplements, medical devices, general health products, sexual health products, cosmetics, weight loss products, baby care products, pet supplies and more. There is a wide range of products you can choose from and get relief from symptoms covering allergies, coughs, cold and flu, sore throat, earache, pain relief and else.

Private and Confidential

When it comes to purchasing certain types of medical products, some people feel more comfortable to buy them online rather than discussing the prescription in person. That’s because when purchasing your medication online, you can stay anonymous and consult the pharmacist over the phone or via e-mail and every information you share remains discrete.

Cost-Efficient

Let’ begin with the obvious – when visiting an online pharmacy, you don’t need to spend money on gas or public transportation. Also, you’re able to check different pharmacies, the range of products they offer and find yourself a great deal. Even more, some online pharmacies provide free delivery after if you spend a certain amount of money ordering from their website.