Title: 
The Use of Online Pharmacy for Medications: Is it really safe?

Word Count:
500

Summary:
Online pharmacies are truly the best alternative to local drugstores when you want to save time and money on buying or ordering for prescription medications. The use of online pharmacy for medications, however, receives a lot of criticisms, especially on the websites' safety and credibility. This article explains the safety and reliability concerns associated in using online pharmacies.


Keywords:
online pharmacy for medications (original: online pharmacy for meds) 


Article Body:
There are indeed a lot of information and services available on the Internet today. With simple and quick clicks of the mouse, you can shop, pay bills and utilities, buy groceries, and even order for prescription medication refills. Yes, you can now have your prescription refilled by means of the hundreds of online pharmacies available on the Internet today.

Most local drugstores located in the United States have online counterparts to address the needs of individuals who have no time to go out and get their prescriptions refilled. These websites are superb alternative to the conventional way of buying prescription medications ay local drugstores. The ones who greatly benefit from using Internet pharmacies are the busy individuals as well as those who have difficulty consulting doctors regarding their health concerns.

Even though online pharmacies provide extensive convenience to millions of consumers, there are still some concerns associated in the use of these service websites. The use online pharmacy for medications is, in fact, one of the many concerns of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The proliferation of unregistered websites that are operating illegally on the Internet is what makes online pharmacy a questionable means of getting medications. These websites are seen as threat to the health and safety of online consumers, for there is no way of telling if their featured medicinal products and supplies are safe and reliable to use.

The issues mentioned above, however, should not be regarded as reasons for no longer availing the services offered by online pharmacies. Complications or problems in ordering and purchasing medications via the Internet can be avoided if consumers are wary and careful in choosing which sites to use. See, there are many legitimate online drugstores that are operating by the laws of FDA. These sites have the necessary license to dispense or distribute prescription drugs to consumers.

In order for consumers to have a hassle-free experience in utilizing and availing the services offered by online pharmacies, they should consider the following reminders:  

   1. Make sure that the online pharmacy is a licensed one.

      To know if a website is a legitimate online pharmacy, it should have:

      a. The necessary license and accreditation to operate.

      b. Strict rules with regard to the use of valid prescription before ordering and purchasing medications.

      c. An existing and complete contact details, including the address and telephone numbers. 

   2. Make sure that the online pharmacy has an in-house pharmacist.

      It is expected in a legitimate online pharmacy to have an in-house pharmacist who can answer queries of consumers regarding the site's services and products. The pharmacist should be a board-certified physician and should be licensed to work in the United States.

   3. Make sure that the online pharmacy has consultations as part of its offered services.

      Along with requiring prescriptions from consumers, a certified online pharmacy should have a consultation option as part of its offered services. This also allows consumers to raise their concerns and feedbacks regarding the medical products and services of an online pharmacy.


