Experts estimate that Canadians spent $34.3 billion on prescription drugs in 2019. That’s at least 13% of the country’s total health care costs.
Such massive expenditures have led to many patients utilizing online Canadian pharmacy services. After all, web-based pharmacies offer medications that cost far less than traditional pharmacies.
That doesn’t mean that all Canadian pharmacies are reputable, though.
To that end, we created this guide on how to choose a reliable Canadian pharmacy. Read on to discover what exactly to look for before you pay for your purchases.
Valid Prescription Requirements
A trustworthy online Canadian pharmacy always requires valid prescriptions. A licensed doctor must have written the prescription, which is only good for a year from the day of issuance. No respectable pharmacy will accept expired prescriptions.
So, a website claiming it’s okay not to have a valid prescription is likely a scammer. Report this to Health Canada or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center right away.
A Verifiable Complete Physical Address
Before you buy medications from a Canadian pharmacy online, check their business records. They must have a verifiable physical address that isn’t a P.O. box. A P.O. box address is a solid indication that the website is only claiming to be a pharmacy but is actually a scammer.
Once you have the pharmacy’s complete address, run it through Google Maps. If the address is legit, the location tool should tell you right away if the pharmacy is really there. If it doesn’t, take that as a sign to bring your business elsewhere.
Pharmacy Regulatory Authority Licensure
All reputable Canadian pharmacies carry a license issued by a pharmacy regulatory authority. Each province and territory in Canada has an agency that regulates these licenses. Contact the regulatory board within the pharmacy’s location to confirm their licensure.
Price Checking Tool
Trustworthy online pharmacies always make a drug price comparison chart available to buyers. In most cases, they use a pharmacy price checker that lets you compare different drug brands. This tool lets you determine how much you can save if you buy your prescription drugs online.
It’s vital to use a price checker, as this helps you ensure you’re paying less, and not more, for the meds you buy.
A Licensed Pharmacist Who’s Always Available
In 2020, there were a total of 45,651 licensed pharmacists in Canada. Some of these licensed practicing pharmacists provide their services through online pharmacies.
With that said, for a Canadian pharmacy to be legit, it must employ a licensed pharmacist. Moreover, the pharmacist must always be present during the company’s operating hours. You must be able to talk to the pharmacy if you need to or if you want to ask prescription-related questions.
If you can’t get ahold of a pharmacist, chances are, that website is only claiming to be a legit pharmacy.
Stay Safe When Buying From an Online Canadian Pharmacy
There you have it, your ultimate guide on what to look for in a legit and reliable online Canadian pharmacy. Be sure to consider all of them,