Ordering your medications online can save you valuable time and effort. With COVID-19 still a risk, more people are taking their shopping online. By finding an online Canadian pharmacy you can trust, you can get your medications delivered to your door!

Unfortunately, only 4% of online pharmacies are operating legally. Choosing a pharmacy at random could put your personal information at risk.

Here are the five tips you need to find an online foreign pharmacy you can rely on. With these tips, you can get your medications with peace of mind.

Learn how to find an online pharmacy with these tips today!

1. Recognize Scams

Before choosing a foreign pharmacy, it's important you learn how to recognize scams. Since only 4% of online pharmacies operate legally, it's likely you'll come across one operating illegally.

These pharmacies could send you medications that contain harmful fillers. You could take a medication that puts your health in jeopardy.

First, avoid any website making marketing claims that seem too good to be true.

Don't trust every advertisement you come across. In fact, 38% of social media posts about medications promote an illegitimate online foreign pharmacy.

Focus on pharmacies that are licensed by a health authority instead. These pharmacies should give you access to a licensed pharmacist you can speak with. If the website provides no contact information, keep searching.

2. Send the Prescription

Before you buy your medications from an online Canadian pharmacy, make sure they ask for your prescription.

How will you ensure the pharmacy provides the right medication if they don't have your prescription in hand? You could come across a pharmacy that pops up overnight. By the time you realize it's a scam, the website could disappear.

Sending your prescription to a licensed pharmacist will ensure your health is the priority.

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3. Explore the Site

When you find an online pharmacy, take the time to explore their website.

First, look at the URL. Do you see "HTTPS" before the domain name? These websites are secure, meaning you can trust them with your credit card information.

Does ".pharmacy" appear at the end of the domain name? That means the National Board of Pharmacies (NABP) has reviewed the site. 

4. Read the Label

Read the label before you purchase a medication online.

Don't choose medications that make ridiculous "cure-all" marketing claims. Instead, make sure the medication matches the one your doctor prescribed.

5. Consider Their Standards

There are a few tools online you can use before choosing a foreign pharmacy.

First, visit the NABP website. They've already reviewed the pharmacies for you to make sure they follow proper standards.

Check for the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS®) Seal on each website, too. Pharmacies with this seal meet licensure requirements and NABP standards.

Otherwise, check the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA).

How to Choose an Online Pharmacy: 5 Tips for Avoiding Scams

Ready to find an online Canadian pharmacy you can trust. Keep these tips in mind. With these tips, you can avoid scams and get the medications you need!

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