What Is Online Pharmacy?

What Is Online Pharmacy?

Introduction Medicines are marketed on both ‘pharmacy’ and ‘non-pharmacy’ websites. Since 1998, the number of website

Introduction

Medicines are marketed on both ‘pharmacy’ and ‘non-pharmacy’ websites. Since 1998, the number of websites offering to fill prescriptions or sell drugs has increased. The activities of large pharmaceutical companies and Internet retailers in the financing, promoting, and advertising online medical businesses show that the Internet is becoming recognized as a legitimate and vital platform for drug marketing.

An online pharmacy, also called e-pharmacy, is a business that offers health products and beauty items as well as prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines through mail or shipping companies. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, online pharmacies have gotten a lot of attention. They have expanded and become a huge innovation affecting billions of lives and providing healthy and convenient purchasing during lock-down restrictions and social distancing over the internet.

Why Are Online Pharmacies Gaining Popularity?

One of the most apparent benefits of online pharmacies is the simple and convenient process of ordering medications online, especially for the elderly and disabled.  Take into account that it saves your time as you can easily order your medicine in a matter of minutes using a  mobile application or a  website.

Patient education is another benefit of online pharmacy. You can understand the usage and routes of drug administration with pharmacists. Various online pharmacies now provide virtual consultations with a healthcare practitioner who can assess your symptoms and prescribe medicine over the internet or the phone from home.

On top of that is the availability of prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs and the wider options in online pharmacies, unlike community pharmacies, where you cannot always find every medicine available.

Recently, there has been a movement to create secure 'patient portals' that provide communication, content, commerce, and community - the "four basic Cs." This perspective was presented in supporting independent living for older persons, focusing on wellness instead of anticipating illness.

Why Are Online Pharmacies Better Than Ever Nowadays?

Online pharmacies and technologies played a critical role in patient care during the early phases of the epidemic. High-risk patients, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, can still obtain healthcare while at home.  The consumer will track medications and choose between payment options using current insurance information, for example, insurance co-pay or cash pay.

A couple received medicines packet from Mednow

How Do You Know An Online Pharmacy Is Legitimate In Canada?

For a couple of reasons, including confidentiality, convenience, you may want to consider using an online pharmacy and save your money on your prescription drugs.

Canadian legitimate online pharmacies must include:

  1. Legitimate online pharmacies are licensed by their provincial or territorial pharmacy regulatory authorities.
  2. A legitimate pharmacy has a staff of pharmacists that are licensed in their Canadian province or territory to answer questions about medication use.
  3. Requires a valid prescription from a physician or other health practitioner registered to practice and prescribe in Canada.
  4. Provides a street address of the pharmacy location and telephone number in Canada.

How Can You Buy Medications Online Safely?

What if I told you that 96% of Canadian sites operate illegally, violating provincial and federal laws? Including the patient safety and pharmacy practise standards set out by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Here are some shopping safety tips on what to avoid from the  NABP:

  1. A website that dispenses prescription drugs without a valid prescription. You can find the list of NABP on 'not recommended pharmacies sites' here.
  2. Selling drugs to consumers that have not been licensed or authorized for sale.
  3. The practice of pharmacy without a license from a provincial or territorial regulatory authority. 
  4. Risks of financial fraud and members identity theft since the company websites are not secure.
  5. Does not have a location address or is located outside Canada.

How to get a prescription from an online pharmacy?

While you cannot just get prescriptions online except when you virtually meet with a qualified doctor to receive a prescribed drug online, this may be done by a video call or over the phone, and the prescription will be provided to you electronically or to the pharmacy.

Mednow - Online Pharmacy in Canada

Mednow is a licensed online pharmacy that is run by a Canadian licensed pharmacist. Mednow pharmacy provides thousands of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and accepts major public and private insurance. You will find the availability of various brand name medicines and generic name drugs through our secure website 24 hours a day. We are committed to delivering your order within 24 hours of ordering with free shipping fees.

We are verified by the Canadian pharmacy regulatory authority, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy  (NABP). Our website is reviewed, verified, and follows the applicable regulations of the pharmacy verified websites program.

Overall, our services include:

Easy access to a doctor or pharmacist

Our pharmacists and Doctors are here to support you by phone, text, or video call. 

Karie™

A smart medication dispenser that ensures you never miss a dose.

  • PillSmart™

A pharmacist dispenses your daily medications in easy-to-use, hard to forget timed daily doses.

Online drug store

A wide range of brand and generic medications and health products are available.

Delivery

Mednow delivers free, same day in the GTA and GVA and within three days elsewhere in Ontario and British Columbia.

Full-service mobile app

Conclusion

The Internet, which became widely and easily accessible, is a powerful tool that provides countless benefits to society. Purchasing prescription drugs online is effortless and affordable — particularly for busy persons and the elderly, disabled, and home-bound patients. 

Online pharmacies will play a role in future medicines provision, and they may be able to give cognitive services through incorporating different forms of technology to expand and improve their site's operation, such as video streaming services on health concerns or medical recommendations, as well as text reminders for buying repeat prescriptions. However, be aware of illegal websites that are not licensed by Canadian pharmacy regulatory authorities because they may offer counterfeit medicines and may result in serious health risks.

This article offers general information only and is not intended as medical or other professional advice. A healthcare provider should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Mednow or its affiliates.

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