Purchasing Medication Online

Dr Victoria -

The Risks of Purchasing Medications Online

There are many things you should be aware of before purchasing medication online. First, there are the illegitimate vendors. These are people who sell illegal or counterfeit medications and other products that have not been approved by the FDA. They may also sell poor quality products at inflated prices, or they might be selling a product that has been recalled by the FDA due to safety concerns.

Secondly, there is no regulation over what these vendors can claim about their products in order to attract customers; therefore you may find yourself purchasing something that does not meet your needs because it has been advertised incorrectly by an unscrupulous seller or manufacturer (e.g., "this medication will cure cancer").

In addition to being misled into buying something useless for your condition(s), this can lead directly into another problem: wasting money on things which aren't necessary!


If you do not have a valid prescription for the medication, you may be charged with a crime. You could also face difficulty obtaining insurance coverage for future medical expenses if you are found to have purchased drugs illegally.

The Financial Consequences of Purchasing Medications Online

First, there's the price: you may think that because you're buying from an international website, the cost will be lower than what you would pay for it at home. But often this isn't true-and even when it is, there are other factors to consider. For example, if a medication is only available in one country (due to regulations), then shipping costs could make up most of your total expenditure and negate any savings on purchase price alone.

Medications purchased online may come with hidden fees or charges that aren't disclosed until after purchase has been made. These include things like shipping costs (which are often higher than those charged by local pharmacies) as well as customs duties; these charges can add up quickly if you're not careful!

Finally: refunds are difficult or impossible for many consumers who have been scammed by fraudulent websites selling counterfeit drugs or dangerous counterfeits masquerading as legitimate products.

The Health Risks of Purchasing Medications Online

The first issue is that you have no way of knowing whether or not the medication you are getting is exactly what it says it is. There are many cases where people have purchased drugs from unlicensed pharmacies, only to receive something entirely different than what they ordered. This can result in incorrect dosages, which can lead to adverse reactions and even death.

Another problem with ordering medications from an unlicensed source is that there may be ingredients present in your medication that are not listed on its label--and this could cause serious harm if consumed by someone who has an allergy or sensitivity to those ingredients (or even just doesn't know about them).

A final point is that there's always risk involved when combining two different drugs at once; doing so could produce dangerous drug interactions which could lead to further complications. When prescribed by a medical professional in your healthcare provider checks are performed to ensure this does not happen.

Alternatives to Purchasing Medications Online

If you are considering purchasing medications online, there are some alternatives that may be more cost-effective and safer.

  • Using a trusted pharmacy: If you have a local pharmacy that you trust, it's worth trying to get your prescription there first. Many pharmacies offer services like free delivery or same-day pickup if they don't have the medication in stock at their store location. You can also ask about discounts - a good example is the reward scheme with Boots pharmacy in the U.K. where you can collect points which you can later use to purchase items in store.
  • If you prefer a home delivery service there are trusted and verified pharmacies you can use such as Boots and Lloyds pharmacies in the U.K. that offer multiple item discounts.

My Final Message...

If you're considering purchasing medications online, weigh the risks and benefits. While it may seem like a convenient option, there are many reasons why this is not a good idea. The best course of action is to use a trusted pharmacy that can provide you with all of your prescription needs in person.