Over-the-border drugs
We're popping more pills than ever. Pharmacists are filling roughly one prescription every month for every American. In fact, last year we spent $208 billion on prescription drugs. That's more than double what we spent 5 years ago. And the rising cost of prescription drugs, along with reduced insurance coverage, is forcing many to go out of the country for their medications. Pick up a prescription from a U.S. pharmacy and it's pretty certain you're getting what your doctor ordered. But, if you don't have good insurance coverage, those trips to the drugstore become expensive.
"I've been in the pharmacy sometimes with people picking up two, three bottles," says San Jose resident Harold Nelson. "That's $600-$800 bucks, that's just outrageous."
Nelson needs to take a drug that regulates his pituitary gland. Eight pills, the equivalent of a 2 month supply, costs $275 at the local pharmacy. However, if he orders the same medication online from a Canadian pharmacy he pays only $127. How much has he saved so far?
"Probably $400-some bucks. That's a good savings," the online shopper adds.
But how can Nelson be sure he's receiving the right medication?
"It's the same color pill, I got to cut it in half, it's everything the same…" he surmises.
Dr. Candy Tsourounis, a UC San Francisco drug researcher, warns that ordering prescriptions from another country can be dangerous.
She says, "It's a pretty serious concern in that there's no guarantee that what you're getting is what you think you're getting." How can you tell?
One thing to check carefully is the packaging. Make certain the medication comes in a sealed container, with instructions. Look closely at the drug itself. Many now have the brand imprinted right on the pill.
Why even try this? Price. Ordering online may be a gamble, but you really can save money. Take a look at the price differences.
Canadameds.com offers "PremPlus," an Estrogen replacement, for $18.17. The cost at a major drugstore chain here in the U.S. is $80.00. The popular cholesterol drug "Lipitor" goes for only $133.00 online but locally is $225.00.
Canada caps drug prices, so American pharmacists just can't compete on that aspect. However, they say personal service and the guarantee of drug safety is well worth the cost, and is something you can get only by visiting your local pharmacist in person.
Dr. Jonathan Ow, the Pharmacy Manager at a local Albertson's, would agree. "If it's your own health that's concerned," he says, "I would think a couple hundred dollars might be worth it. Definitely so."
But, if you do in fact decide to order drugs online, use a site that requires a prescription from your doctor. NBC3 HealthWatch tested CanadaMeds.com.
An order for Lipitor was placed using a phony doctor's name and address. Sure enough, a few days later a representative from CanadaMeds called with questions about the order.
Even more importantly, though, is another test. Thanks to the medication, the doctor's report says that our friend Harold Nelson is fine. And thanks to filling his prescriptions online, his wallet's a little healthier too.
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