Online Pharmacy Safety Ask PharmacyChecker

October 03, 2024

The notorious online pharmacy dispenses to Americans from Canada; however, these websites are increasingly working with dispensing partners in India. Read More

August 07, 2024

How can we tell which online pharmacies are trustworthy and which are peddling scams? PharmacyChecker’s own Dr. Ross Phan sat down with Dr. Phil’s Morning on Merit Street to explain how the latest frenzy around Ozempic is a breeding ground for counterfeit activity (and creativity). Dr. Read More

July 02, 2024

Vigilance regarding the appearance of the solution itself, in addition to the labeling and key facts about its manufacture is crucial for patient safety. Read More

May 02, 2024

Ross Phan, PharmD, has decided to take her expertise to PharmacyChecker to lead its International Pharmacy Verification Program arm. The program was established in 2003 to help consumers identify trustworthy online pharmacies that work with licensed dispensing partners. Read More

January 02, 2024

Many times when a drug product becomes trendy, consumers need to be extra cautious of how and where they obtain it. Read More

October 12, 2023

Despite fear tactics wielded by pharmaceutical companies and their PR teams, our prescription drug marketplace is global in practice, and experts contend explicitly expanding that global access through safety assurances could lower drug prices here in the United States.... Read More

September 18, 2023

In recent months, we have become aware of websites with names and appearances mimicking the branding of PharmacyChecker.com but are not associated with our service. Watch out for these sites! Read More

April 18, 2023

Arizona licensed pharmacy technician, Jordan Burns, has spent 15 years in the world of pharmacy, tackling everything from retail pharmacy technician management to leading inpatient pharmacy compliance teams. Read More

February 16, 2023

Pharmacies across the border that cater to U.S. tourists have been found to be selling single pills without a prescription requirement, a majority of which are laced with illicit drugs. Read More

October 04, 2022

CIPA and PharmacyChecker both endeavor to provide information about safe international online pharmacies that are accessible to and affordable for patients, most of whom are seeking lower prices on prescription drugs. Read More

September 28, 2022

In PharmacyChecker’s view, online pharmacy safety exists for patients who purchase medicines from websites that transparently market and sell government-regulated prescription drugs, made in accordance with good manufacturing practices, which are filled by duly inspected and licensed pharmacies that... Read More

April 25, 2022

With newly-approved effective treatment options, comes the inevitable online scam artists trying to sell fake Covid treatments, which can be detrimental to your health and/or finances. Read More

December 03, 2021

If you decide to buy a medication from a pharmacy in Canada and you have a prescription with a U.S. pharmacy, you'll most likely need to request a new prescription from your provider. Canadian and International Mail Order Pharmacies That Accept U.S. Prescriptions. Read More

November 09, 2021

The world of international online pharmacies is growing at an extremely fast pace. It is important to know how to distinguish a rogue online pharmacy from a legitimate online pharmacy. Some bad actors are very easy to spot: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Read More

October 04, 2021

Canadian and other international online pharmacies can help you (and have already helped millions of Americans) save a lot of money. How much are we talking here? Read More

August 06, 2021

For 20 years, from the late 1990s until it lost patent protection in the U.S. in 2017, Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was an extraordinary cash cow for drug company Pfizer. It has generated about $34 billion worldwide. Read More

July 07, 2021

Pharmacist Jeffrey Poirier has had a long, impressive career in various health care settings. Now, he takes on leading the PharmacyChecker Verification Program, through which online pharmacies, international and domestic, are assessed for compliance with high accreditation standards. Read More

June 03, 2021

Ensuring that people access only safe websites for abortion consultation and prescriptions is critical to reproductive health. Read More

April 07, 2021

To some folks, the word “globalization” has a negative ring to it: the idea that America should focus on its own people and not the rest of the world; lost factory jobs; United Nations bureaucrats; and international elites. Read More

April 06, 2021

When it comes to anything we put inside our bodies, consumers are rightfully concerned as to where and how such products are manufactured. Read More

March 30, 2021

Seniors, or those above the age of 60, are taking prescription medication, and, more often than not, they’re taking more than one medication. According to the CDC, 85% of the U.S. population above 60 took medication in the years 2015 - 2016. Read More

March 30, 2021

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is nearly a household name, thanks to a few ubiquitous commercials. It is also — and, put a tin hat on me, I think these facts are connected — exceptionally expensive, running an average of $113 per tablet in the United States. Read More

January 08, 2021

"Canadian online pharmacies" has the ring of something that probably doesn't exist, maybe because "Canada" can also be the home of invisible girlfriends and spammers in your inbox. Read More

December 14, 2020

When one thinks of drugs from abroad, Canada is quick to the tongue as a country with affordable drugs and a great healthcare system, which isn’t a coincidence. Read More

December 07, 2020

I’m a pharmacist, licensed and trained to take care of patients who need prescription drugs. So, you want to be sure you are shopping at a legitimate online pharmacy but don’t know where to start in your search? Completely understandable. Read More

December 01, 2020

Drug prices in the U.S. are soaring and the sticker shock at pharmacy counters is sending many online to find financial relief. The prices of the top 20 drugs prescribed to seniors in the U.S. have risen ten times the rate of inflation in the past five years. Read More

November 18, 2020

In a country full of medical debt and sticker shock at the pharmacy counter, could Jeff Bezos, of all people, be here to save us? Read More

November 16, 2020

Be advised that medication ordered from outside the U.S. can normally take 2-3 weeks to arrive. If ordering medication from India, it can take even longer. Read More

November 05, 2020

Nostrum Laboratories has announced with the FDA a voluntary recall on two lots of Metformin HCL extended release tablets of 750mg strength. Read More

November 04, 2020

Although a prescription is always required for birth control, there are ways to obtain a prescription from a doctor without facing the cost or potential anxiety of a face-to-face appointment. Legitimate online pharmacies always require a valid prescription. Read More

October 07, 2020

Through the PharmacyChecker Verification Program, we routinely audit Canadian pharmacies, as well as pharmacies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Mauritius, New Zealand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Read More

October 01, 2020

Seniors are the most susceptible to these types of scams. This is mainly because people above the age of 65 are more likely to need medication, maybe even several kinds of daily medication. Read More

September 11, 2020

I have inspected varying types of pharmacy operations over my career: retail, hospital, mail-order, and international. I was actually the friendly face in your Boston neighborhood CVS at one point! Read More

September 03, 2020

Millions of Americans use online pharmacies, located in Canada and elsewhere, each year. In a 2016 poll, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 8% of respondents said they or a member of their household had imported prescription drugs to save money. Read More

September 02, 2020

The FDA is a drug-regulator; not a pharmacy regulator. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is a federal agency that regulates the supply chain of medications sold in the United States. Read More

August 28, 2020

In America, tens of millions of people are skipping necessary medications because the prices are too high. PharmacyChecker exists to help people, mostly Americans, find prescription drug safety and savings information on the Internet. Read More

August 18, 2020

PharmacyChecker’s goal is to help consumers safely access lower-cost drugs. To do so, PharmacyChecker verifies and monitors mail-order pharmacies both abroad and in the U.S. Read More

July 27, 2020

Janumet is one of the U.S.’s most perplexingly expensive diabetes drugs. A combination of sitagliptin and metformin, the drug works alongside insulin to lower sugar levels in the body. Read More

June 22, 2020

Are online pharmacies safe? And, if so, which one is the safest? How do Americans find the best online pharmacy? If you live in the U.S., the answer to these questions is of grave importance due to the exorbitant drug costs at our local pharmacies. Read More

June 18, 2020

HIV medications, especially those still on patent, are frequently very expensive. With an average retail price of almost $4,000 in the thousands, Biktarvy is no exception. Drug companies constantly churn out new HIV medications. Read More

May 31, 2020

Yes, you can get a prescription online for certain antidepressants or anxiety medications. Read More

May 31, 2020

Prescribing Xanax via telemedicine. Xanax prescription online legality. Read More

April 30, 2020

In the face of the global coronavirus pandemic, we are all trying to do our best to adjust to the new, although hopefully temporary, normal. Online pharmacies included! Read More

April 16, 2020

The FDA issued an alert of EpiPen auto-injector errors related to the devices malfunctioning on March 23rd, 2020. Read More

March 30, 2020

If your prescription drugs are even more expensive this year, remember this: brand name drugs are almost always much cheaper in Canada. The U.S. is notorious for high drug prices, largely because we don’t have federal regulations dedicated to keeping drugs affordable. Read More

March 04, 2020

Millions of medication errors in the U.S. have caused illness and death to those seeking only to improve their health. When it comes to our pharmacists and the care they take with our prescription meds, we’d like to think patient safety is top priority. And it is, for the pharmacists. Read More

January 29, 2020

Even with insurance, Livalo, an FDA-approved brand of the drug pitavastatin, can cost around $310 for a three-month supply. It’s understandable that most folks would balk at such price and some would find it impossible to afford. Read More

December 05, 2019

Many people buy erectile dysfunction pills, such as Viagra, without a prescription over the Internet. This is incredibly dangerous. Viagra is known to be one of the most counterfeited medications sold online so don't be fooled by rogue online pharmacies that offer brand-name Viagra. Read More

October 24, 2019

Sometimes the hardest part of obtaining prescription drugs is actually getting a prescription. Doctor copays can be a real burden and taking time off work to get an appointment can be difficult. So, can you get a prescription online? Read More

May 03, 2019

All pharmacies in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program, which include those on the PharmacyChecker.com list of approved online pharmacies, require a valid prescription from your doctor or other licensed prescriber. Read More

March 19, 2019

Oxycontin is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. DEA because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Read More

March 19, 2019

A licensed pharmacy in Mexico, with the requisite prescription requirements, and subject to inspection, could potentially qualify for the PharmacyChecker Verification Program. Read More

March 19, 2019

Valium (diazepam) is a medication used to treat anxiety and seizures, typically creating a calming effect. Valium is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the U.S. Read More

March 14, 2019

The pharmacies listing medications on our website are required to follow PharmacyChecker Verification Program standards and guidance policies, which permit pharmacies to market, sell, process and/or dispense internationally a maximum 3-months' supply of non-controlled medication pursuant to a valid... Read More

March 04, 2019

The short answer is that no international online pharmacy listed on PharmacyChecker.com sells Ambien (zolpidem) —or controlled medications of any kind — to consumers in the United States. Read More

February 07, 2019

In the U.S., all prescription medications require a valid prescription before they can be dispensed by a pharmacy. Read More

February 05, 2019

A legitimate Canadian or international online pharmacy will always require a valid prescription and your order will be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Read More

February 04, 2019

The PharmacyChecker Verification Program is a voluntary credentialing program in which online pharmacies can choose to have their pharmacy evaluated for strict online pharmacy practice standards and licensure. Read More

February 04, 2019

The short answer to that question is that payment methods vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, but sometimes these methods can be confusing, so we'd like to take this opportunity to explain the differences. Read More

January 29, 2019

For starters, Fiorinal (Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine) is a scheduled III controlled substance per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Read More

January 08, 2019

The Verification Program Standards outline the requirements that online pharmacies must meet to publish a PharmacyChecker seal. Read More

October 04, 2018

Many people order prescription medications online. Americans buy medications through mail-order pharmacies associated with their health insurance or from independent online pharmacies based in the U.S. Many opt to shop at international online pharmacies due to cost. Read More

August 29, 2018

If you're in the U.S., it's legal to order a medication online that is mailed directly from a U.S. state-licensed pharmacy. It's not legal, under most circumstances, to order and import medicine from a pharmacy in another country, according to the U.S. Read More

June 16, 2018

The online pharmacies approved through the Program require valid prescriptions, fill orders through licensed pharmacies, protect and encrypt financial and health information transmitted electronically, and publish a phone number and address that patients can use to reach a licensed pharmacist.... Read More

June 14, 2018

Most prescription drugs can be ordered online and mailed to you, but not Enbrel. Currently, the PharmacyChecker verified pharmacies only offer Enbrel for local pick-up, which would be in Canada. This is because Enbrel should be refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and should not be shaken. Read More

May 23, 2018

Peer-reviewed and independent research demonstrates that when consumers use PharmacyChecker-verified pharmacies to buy medications purchased online (foreign or domestic), they receive lawfully-manufactured, high-quality medication, pursuant to a valid prescription, typically at a much lower price th... Read More

May 02, 2018

In most cases, drug manufacturer discount coupons are accepted at U.S. retail, online and mail-order pharmacies — but not at international online pharmacies, such as the pharmacies verified in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program.... Read More

April 24, 2018

CanadaDrugs.com was accredited in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program from 2005 until March 2018. In February 2018, CanadaDrugs.com withdrew from our program. Read More

April 04, 2018

If you choose to buy Levitra locally in the U.S., pharmacies have more latitude to market and sell larger quantities of medication to their customers domestically, in accordance with a written prescription. Read More

April 01, 2018

U.S. pharmacies have more latitude to market and sell larger quantities of medication to their customers domestically, in accordance with a written prescription. Read More

March 28, 2018

Tikosyn (dofetilide) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of serious irregular heartbeat like atrial fibrillation and flutter. It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a steady, regular heartbeat. Read More

March 13, 2018

Amantadine is a prescription medication used to treat influenza as well as Parkinson's disease. It is often used to treat symptoms of uncontrolled movement disorder. Read More

March 11, 2018

Consumer ratings and reviews can provide insight into what one can expect when choosing to purchase medication from an online pharmacy. It's important to distinguish between the PharmacyChecker verification checks from a consumer's rating and review. Read More

March 05, 2018

Myrbetriq is a prescription medication used to treat an overactive bladder. Many verified online pharmacies listing prices on PharmacyChecker.com provide shipping worldwide. Read More

February 25, 2018

Currently, 30 capsules of Linzess 145 mcg can cost you as much as $395 ($13 per pill) at your local U.S pharmacy—and that's with a coupon. Read More

February 19, 2018

Acitretin is a medication that treats severe psoriasis. Read More

February 15, 2018

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men and endometriosis, premature puberty, or uterine fibroids in women. Read More

February 01, 2018

Diclofenac gel is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac gels reduce hormones that cause pain and inflammation, specifically joint pain caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Diclofenac is also available as an oral tablet or patch. Read More

January 02, 2018

Verified international online pharmacies in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program list prices for Tobradex Ophthalmic Ointment 0.3/0.1 %. Currently, the lowest price for a 3.5 g tube of Tobradex ointment is $25.49. The average U.S. retail price is around $270 for a 3.5 g tube. Read More

December 27, 2017

Unfortunately, international online pharmacies do not process U.S. insurance claims for medications. Medications are paid for "out-of-pocket." Although I expect most insurers do not cover the expense under reimbursement, it would not hurt to ask. Read More

December 26, 2017

Tretinoin topical cream, which is a vitamin A derivative prescription drug, is a popular generic retinoid commonly used to treat acne. Read More

December 17, 2017

If you're ordering Doxepin, a prescription medication in the U.S. that is approved for use under the supervision of a healthcare provider, from a PharmacyChecker-verified pharmacy, you will be required to provide the pharmacy with a prescription that you obtained from your doctor or other licensed p... Read More

December 11, 2017

Verified international online pharmacies in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program list prices for Resolor (prucalopride succinate). Online pharmacies in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program often work with pharmacies in several countries, including Canada and the UK. Read More

November 21, 2017

Repatha and Praluent are already available through Canadian pharmacies. Read More

November 08, 2017

Atenolol is the generic version of brand-name drug Tenormin, which is used to treat high blood pressure. PharmacyChecker.com has prices for brand-name Tenormin and generic Atenolol. Read More

November 02, 2017

Depending on where you are in the world, prescription medications are packaged differently and may look different. Read More

November 02, 2017

Yes, verified online pharmacies listing prices on PharmacyChecker.com offer Meloxicam. Read More

October 24, 2017

PharmacyChecker.com provides prescription drug price comparisons among international online pharmacies that we have verified as meeting our pharmacy practice standards. Read More

October 23, 2017

Many prescription medications sold in the U.S. are manufactured and distributed by multinational drug companies with facilities throughout the world. The U.S. Read More

October 15, 2017

Crestor is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca. Brand-name Crestor sold in the U.S., is a product made in Germany and the UK, manufactured by a company called CordenPharma GmbH. Read More