Cheaper Prescription Drugs Available over the Internet
For years, Americans have crossed the borders into Mexico and Canada to get cheaper prescription drugs.
Now these drugs are available over the Internet, making it possible for those who can't travel to get their medications at a lower cost. That's exactly what one Salt Lake City man is doing and he's saving hundreds of dollars each month. Shauna Lake reports.
For the Hall's its all in the family. Paul Hall and his two sons service and repair pumps and air compressors. Because its a family-owned, small business Paul buys his own health insurance.
It isn't cheap. That's why he began looking for ways to save. He heard about buying prescriptions on the Internet and decided to give it a try.
“I looked on the Internet and heard there were good buys on the Internet. I talked to them and discovered their prices were half of what I could buy here in U.S.,” said Paul Hall.
Paul's prescription for the stomach medication Prevacid was costing him nearly $500 per month at pharmacies here in the U.S.
Now with the click of a mouse using the Canadian Internet pharmacy, Paul's price dropped to 232 dollars per month.
Canadian pharmacists say thanks to the Internet, Paul and others like him now have access to less expensive medications.
“We believe the lady in Iowa shouldn't be denied access to cheaper medications just because she doesn't live on the border,” said Daren Jorgenson of Canadameds.com.
So why are these Canadian Internet pharmacies so much cheaper? For starters Canada has price controls on prescription medications. That, combined with a strong U.S. dollar means you can get more for your money.
U.S. pharmaceutical companies say if every country had price controls, they would no longer have the money for research and development and that means the development of newer, more effective medications would come to a halt. They also argue getting medications in person, right here in the U.S. is safer.
But the Canadian companies say they're selling the same drugs made right here in the U.S. and their pharmacists have an effective system of checks and balances if their are any questions or concerns.
“There's many instances where they contact the prescribing physician in the U.S. directly or contact the patient,” Jorgenson said.
As for Paul Hall, he's a satisfied customer and says buying his medication on the Internet is not only cheaper, it’s easier.
“You don't have to make the trip, spend the time, wait in line. It just shows up in your mail,” Hall said.
If you decide to use a Canadian Internet pharmacy, you'll need your doctor or U.S. pharmacist to fax a copy of your prescription.
Keep in mind these Canadian pharmacies emphasize disease maintenance. They don't fill prescriptions for short-term antibiotics or certain narcotics.
For more information, here are three Internet Canadian pharmacies that you can shop and compare.
1. www.crossborderpharmacy.com
2. canadameds.com is based in Winnipeg, call toll free at 1-877-542-3330
3. www.canadianmedsusa.com is based in Littleton Colorado and tied to Canadian Pharmacies. Call at 1-303-978-0505.
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