Complete Guide to Mail Order Prescription Drugs
online pharmacy customer service
If you’re trying to manage your physical health and your mental health and your time and your money and all of your responsibilities judiciously, there’s (to say the least) a lot on your plate.
Making things as easy and as affordable to handle as possible is key to getting everything done. When you’re figuring out the best way to manage your medications, one possible time- and money-saver is mail order prescription drugs from Canada or internationally.
While it may not be intuitive to purchase prescribed medications or health products online, it’s becoming much more common to do so—and doing so comes with several unignorable perks.
But what exactly are mail order drugs, and why are they becoming so popular? Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
Let’s Start With the Basics: What Are Mail Order Prescription Drugs?
Mail-order prescription drugs are medications—prescribed ones, in this case—that you can order online or by phone. The drugs will then be shipped directly to your front door.
For years, this type of service has been popular for specific populations, including:
- People who are navigating life with chronic conditions
- Caregivers who are managing multiple prescriptions, potentially for a few people
- Anyone intrigued by a new, convenient way to get their meds without needing to get into a car or speak with people.
Today, nearly anyone can reap the benefits of mail-order medications.
And there are a few good reasons to consider doing so, if you haven’t already.
Why Choose Mail Order Drugs?
Here are just a few reasons why many people are buying their prescription drugs online.
Often, it’s cheaper to do so. Online pharmacies tend to have lower operating costs than traditional brick-and-mortar locations.
(Think about it: They often have lower rent and utility costs, for example.)
High-quality online pharmacies take these savings and pass them on to you.
It may be easier to find generics online. Sometimes, brick-and-mortar pharmacies may prioritize keeping brand-name medications in stock, which can make saving with generics a bit more difficult to do.
Often, it’s easier to find the generic you’re looking for when working with an online or mail-order pharmacy.
It’s (very) convenient to order medication online or by phone. Once you have a valid and updated prescription, you can submit an order for your medication and have it on its way to your home.
No need to leave your home in inclement weather or prepare to speak about sensitive medications with the people standing behind you in line at the pharmacy counter!
It can also be easier to find select hard-to-locate meds. A brick-and-mortar pharmacy has a pretty clear incentive to keep medications in stock that appeal to the majority of people.
If you’ve been prescribed a rare medication, that brick-and-mortar pharmacy may not have it in stock—or may require a long time to locate it for you.
Instead of waiting for your corner pharmacy to mail-order the prescription for you, why not just order it online yourself?
How Does the Mail Order Process Work?
If you’re leery of labyrinthine online ordering processes, we have good news. Ordering prescription medications online is a straightforward process.
Depending on the pharmacy you decide to work with, here’s the general flow of events.
Your First Step: Obtain a Valid Prescription
For your own safety, any good mail-order or internet-based pharmacy you work with will require that you have a valid prescription for your medications. Getting one upfront will make the entire process much smoother for you.
Once you realize that you’re going to need a medication, schedule a visit with your doctor or a licensed healthcare professional. After talking through your symptoms and health goals, that professional may write you a prescription.
Sometimes, your doctor’s office can send the prescription directly to the pharmacy of your choice. In other cases, you’ll need to provide your pharmacy with a copy of your prescription.
(Either way, make sure you get a copy of your prescription for your own records).
Then, Choose a Certified Online Pharmacy
After you’ve gotten a valid, updated prescription, it’s time to select your pharmacy of choice.
You may already have one in mind—or be reading an informative article on the site of a possible contender—but as you’re vetting pharmacies, here are just two quick actions you can take to pick a safe, high-quality option.
Pick a pharmacy that carries a third-party certification from a trusted source.
One such source is the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, or CIPA, a group with blisteringly high standards for safety, drug quality, and online security.
If the pharmacy you’re looking at is CIPA-certified, you’re in good hands.
Read Canadian pharmacy reviews from previous customers to get an idea of what your probable experience will be.
It’s a good idea to know and avoid common online pharmacy red flags, too. These may include:
- A lack of prescription requirements
- Promises of miracle cures or treatments
- Prices that seem too low to be true
- A lack of contact information
- Bad reviews
- A hastily-thrown-together website
Trust your gut. If an online pharmacy seems off to you, for any reason, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Tips for Ensuring Smooth Deliveries from Mail Order Pharmacies
Avoiding hiccups with paperwork and frustrating delays often comes down to doing a little bit of homework and some proactive work upfront.
Here’s our advice for enjoying smooth, seamless service from your online Canadian pharmacy.
Order as early as you can. If this is not a new medication and you’re just looking for a refill, order before you have only a couple of days’ doses remaining.
If this is a new medication, send us your prescription and get your order in as soon as possible after your doctor writes the prescription initially.
Track your shipment. This can help you have a reasonable expectation of when your shipment will arrive. It can also help you be aware of any issues that may occur with your shipment, so you and the team at your chosen Canadian pharmacy can help mitigate any issues shortly after they happen.
Touch base with our team! Whether you have questions about our services or are curious about your options for an upcoming purchase, feel free to contact our friendly customer service representatives at any time.
Who Benefits the Most from Mail Order Prescription Drugs?
Mail-order prescription drugs can be convenient for many people.
They can be a lifeline for others.
Consider:
- The life-changing magic of automated, easy-to-manage refills for critical medications
- The ability for caregivers to check in on medication shipment statuses from their phones, wherever they are
- The ability for people who have limited mobility to order medications without needing help from a friend
- The ability for people in pharmacy deserts to get the medication they need without having to drive all the way into town after work or on the weekend
- The ease of having your medications delivered to your door, especially if you work night shifts or consistent 60-hour weeks
And, of course, all of these benefits don’t even touch on the primary reason many people turn to online and mail-order pharmacies—savings.
How to Save Even More with Mail Order Meds
As we noted above, many mail-order or online pharmacies are already quite cost-effective.
If you’re interested in saving even more money, it may be worth considering any of the following strategies:
Choose generic where possible. Generic drugs aren’t slightly worse or weaker versions of brand-name drugs.
They’re functionally the same, just without the branding. Sometimes, generic drugs may have different inactive or filler ingredients, but in most cases, that shouldn’t matter.
Some people may have reactions to generic drugs but not the brand equivalent – or vice versa, though, which does make having a reliably affordable way to access both versions of the drug a good idea.
See if you can find a manufacturer coupon. Sometimes, drug manufacturers will issue coupons for their medications. This may not be a long-term solution but can ease the cost of one-off purchases.
Talk to your doctor to see if you can access a coupon or savings program; often, healthcare offices get news about these promotions before the general public.
Talk to your doctor about a (reasonable) bulk order. In some cases, patients who take medications for chronic conditions may be able to buy slightly larger orders of select medications—say, a 90-day supply of Lipitor (atorvastatin), instead of needing to buy the medication in 30-day increments.
This can bring down the cost per dose considerably. Your doctor needs to recommend this at the prescription level, though, so if this sounds interesting, talk to your healthcare provider.
Addressing Common Concerns About Mail Order Medications
Still have questions about how to get the most out of mail order prescription drugs (without risking your safety)?
Here are quick answers to a handful of the most frequently asked questions about online and mail order prescription drugs.
1. Are Mail Order Prescription Drugs Safe?
Yes, mail order prescription drugs are safe—if you choose a certified pharmacy.
Certified, legitimate online pharmacies adhere to incredibly strict regulations about what they can sell, and abide by industry standards like requiring prescriptions. As long as you work with a properly vetted pharmacy, you should be safe.
2. What About Delays?
Delays are possible, and, in some cases, inevitable.
(The past few years of supply chain shortages have taught all of us this lesson several times over.)
However, with a little prep, you may be able to avoid delays.
A few helpful strategies may include:
- Ordering your medications well in advance.
- Opting for expedited or trackable shipping options.
- Talking with the friendly customer service reps at your chosen pharmacy, who will help you in any way possible to streamline your experience.
3. Can I Trust the Quality of the Medications?
Yes, you can trust the quality of the medications you buy through a vetted, certified, and high-quality online or mail-order pharmacy.
Once you’ve done your vetting, you should be set, but it never hurts to do a quick quality check once you’ve received your medications. Check for clear labeling, proper packaging, and an expiration date on your order.
If you see anything else, get in contact with your pharmacy’s customer care team.
4. Can I Return Medications if There’s a Problem?
If there is a problem with your medication, you should be able to return the medication (or work with your pharmacy toward another agreeable outcome, like a refund).
While problems like this should be rare, you should know how to handle them. Fortunately, the action required on your end will be simple.
If you notice an issue with your order, like damaged packaging or the incorrect medication, contact customer support at once.
5. Are All Medications Available Through Mail Order?
While the vast majority of prescription and non-prescription medications are available, some controlled substances may be unavailable. Always check with the pharmacy before placing your order.
6. What If I Need Help Understanding My Medications?
If you need help understanding your prescription or your medications, ask to speak with an on-staff pharmacist at your pharmacy of choice.
Popular Non-Prescription Medications Available Online
Even after learning the ins and outs of the world of mail order prescription drugs, it can still be difficult to comprehend just how easy purchasing the drugs you actually need online (or by phone) can be.
Here are just a few of the most commonly ordered mail-order prescription drugs:
- Loratadine (Claritin), a non-drowsy antihistamine for seasonal allergies
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec), a medication effective for relieving allergy symptoms like sneezing and runny nose
- Omeprazole, an OTC treatment for acid reflux and heartburn
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), an NSAID that’s ideal for helping manage mild to moderate pain.
- Ibuprofen (Advil), another go-to treatment for inflammation and pain relief.
However, these aren’t the only medications available from a high-quality online and international pharmacy website. Far from it.
With benefits like lower costs, increased convenience, and reliable service, switching to a trusted Canadian online pharmacy can be a healthy choice for you (and your wallet). Interested in learning more about how we can serve you?
Browse our products or speak to our friendly customer service representatives today. The team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to serving you!
