by Lucia Mueller, President, PharmacyChecker.com | Jul 12, 2017 | Drug Prices, PharmacyChecker Answers
PharmacyChecker.com is now touting two new features exclusively for curious consumers and their advocates visiting our site. We couldn’t be prouder and all around excited to share this with you. These sections will undoubtedly aid in our aim for increased transparency and safety when it comes to verifying online pharmacies because not all online pharmacies are created equal, and our consumers should be fully aware of the risks and rewards of purchasing affordable medication online, including from Canadian pharmacies and abroad.
In addition to the growing Ask PharmacyChecker section, we have just added a Frequently Asked Questions section that answers questions designed not only to enlighten existing users but also to inform new visitors on what PharmacyChecker.com is all about: verifying online pharmacies so you have the information needed to safely buy prescription medication online! (more…)
Tagged with: ask pharmacychecker, FAQs, website features
by Gabriel Levitt, President, PharmacyChecker.com and Kelly Ann Barnes, JD, RPh, Vice President, Pharmacy Verification and Information | Nov 22, 2016 | PharmacyChecker Answers
Question: I recently bought some Benicar pills from an international online pharmacy who sourced them from a place in Turkey. The pills did not match up with pills I had on hand from a domestic pharmacy. I don’t know if we should use these blood pressure pills as it seems a little strange that both sourced bills shouldn’t have the same markings.
PharmacyChecker Answers…
For generic drugs, the simple answer is, they look different because they have to. Generic medications must be comparable to a brand name medication in dosage form, strength, route of administration, and intended use. However, whether dispensed domestically or internationally, generic medications often have a different shape, color, or size due to intellectual property (patent and trademark) protections on the brand-name medication. Manufacturers of brand-named medications have certain exclusive rights, such as the unique look of a medication, which may include color, shape or markings.
But what about a brand named medication manufactured in other countries? (more…)
by PharmacyChecker.com | Oct 21, 2016 | Drug Prices, PharmacyChecker Answers
Jublia (efinaconazole topical solution 10%) was approved for use in treating toenail fungal infections in 2014. The company which distributes it in the U.S., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, has a history of charging astronomical prices for its drugs and the situation is no different for Jublia. A 4 ml bottle (enough to treat one toe daily for a month) has a cash price of about $649, and even with easily available discounts, it costs about $550. It will likely be many years before a less expensive generic version is available in the U.S.
So how can you get Jublia at an even lower price? First, Valeant offers steep discounts for those first trying Jublia. As of the time of this writing (10/10/15), if you have insurance which covers Jublia, Valeant will reduce your co-pay for either the 4 ml or 8 ml bottles to just $25, or to $75 if the drug is not covered by your drug plan. If you have no insurance, the discounted price is $125 for the 4 ml bottle, or $200 for the 8 ml bottle. You can get 11 refills at this price (but just one refill if your drug plan does not cover Jublia).
Jublia is sold in other countries at much lower prices than in the U.S. In fact, in Canada, Valeant Pharmaceuticals distributes Jublia at prices far lower than those in the U.S. Many Americans get their prescription medications from outside the U.S. to save money and, although this is not technically legal, individuals are not prosecuted for importing small quantities of medication for personal use. Outside the U.S., Jublia is sold in a larger quantity – 6 ml and 12 ml bottles. Currently, you can get a 6 ml bottle for as little as $95 (plus about $10 shipping) from any of any of several PharmacyChecker.com verified international pharmacies which dispense the medication from licensed pharmacies. This international online price is the equivalent of getting 4 ml for about $67 – more than an 80% discount off the standard U.S. price.
Tagged with: jublia, Valeant
by Gabriel Levitt, President, PharmacyChecker.com and Kelly Ann Barnes, JD, RPh, Vice President, Pharmacy Verification and Information | Aug 19, 2016 | Online Pharmacies, PharmacyChecker Answers
We received the following question about Cialis and generic tadalafil.
Question. I am about to begin a one-year treatment of Cialis to help recover from prostate surgery. My question is where can I find information that will give me confidence to use the generic tadalafil. This could result in a huge savings over the life of the treatment.
Thank you for your consideration.
PharmacyChecker Experts Answer…
You can get information right here! (more…)
Tagged with: cialis, tadalafil
by Tod Cooperman, M.D., CEO, PharmacyChecker.com | Jun 17, 2016 | Online Pharmacies, Online Pharmacy Verification Services, PharmacyChecker Answers
Rx Required!!
Question. Do online pharmacies in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program require a prescription?
PharmacyChecker Answers: Absolutely. Under our program’s rule, all PharmacyChecker.com-approved online pharmacies must require a prescription for you to obtain medication that requires a prescription. This is just one of the many important standards which define our program.
Why is this so important? First, online pharmacies which don’t require a prescription are more likely to sell you a counterfeit or poor quality medication. Second, you should be under medical supervision when taking prescribed medication.
So, if you order from a PharmacyChecker-approved online pharmacy you’ll learn firsthand that you’d better have a script in hand!
Tagged with: prescription requirement
by PharmacyChecker.com | May 27, 2016 | PharmacyChecker Answers
Question: My doctor in Florida insists that all prescriptions be sent electronically to the pharmacy. I prefer to have a paper prescription in order to shop around for the best price. What can I do?
Answer: While most states have provisions allowing electronic prescribing, and some have extremely strict requirements mandating their use, all have exceptions that allow consumer choice. PharmacyChecker.com CEO Tod Cooperman, MD, wrote about this issue in an earlier blog post as it relates to electronic prescribing in the State of New York. But what about Florida?
Here’s the good news! Florida law states “electronic prescribing shall not interfere with a patient’s freedom to choose a pharmacy.”
The main reason that states have adopted rules to encourage electronic prescribing is to prevent the abuse of prescription narcotics, which is a national epidemic.
(more…)
Tagged with: consumer choice, e-prescribing, Florida, legal