....... We talk about the various types of online pharmacy, describe their features, explain how you can distinguish between them, and list what should you look for to protect yourself when planning to buy medications online..............

This is not a time to be passive. You should be as active as possible and investigate the potential sources. Any keyword search for the medication(s) you want to buy will produce multiple hits on pharmacies. So your first step will be to produce a shortlist of possible candidates. Do not make the headline prices your main criterion in compiling the shortlist. Cheapness does not guarantee the best value in the product you buy or the quality of the service you receive. More importantly, the price quoted for the medications may not reflect the total price payable. The cost of delivery or other fees may be added on later as you go through the shopping cart process. Once you have your shortlist, set out to learn as much as possible about each candidate. So the first issue is to distinguish between the different kinds of pharmacy. The laws regulating the pharmacies will differ depending on the country where each is resident.

Some online pharmacies are in exactly the same position as real world pharmacies. If you ask them for prescription medication, they must either access your medical records to ensure you can safely use the medication or receive a prescription issued by your physician. If you cannot provide whatever documentation is required, your safety cannot be guaranteed and your order will not be processed. Because these online pharmacies are directly regulated by the country in which they are based, they are more likely to be reliable. Thus, if you do have a prescription or can allow access to your medical records, an ROP is likely to provide a faster, better quality service. The medications sold through ROPs are also generally cheaper than those from the other online pharmacies.

This is the most common type of online pharmacy and, as a result, they supply the majority of all medications sold online. In fact, all the pharmacies compareop.com.com recommends on the “white” list are NROPs. The process for placing an order requires you to fill out a medical questionnaire. This asks you to identify what condition, disorder, illness or disease you have and what other medications you are taking. This information is then examined by the certified on-board or external pharmacist (who may or may not be a licensed physician in the country where the pharmacy is resident). If the medication you have ordered matches the recommended treatment for the condition, disorder, illness or disease you have identified and there are no contraindications given the other medications you are taking, the certified pharmacist will issue a prescription and your order will be shipped.

ROPs (record online pharmacies)

Some online pharmacies are in exactly the same position as real world pharmacies. If you ask them for prescription medication, they must either access your medical records to ensure you can safely use the medication or receive a prescription issued by your physician. If you cannot provide whatever documentation is required, your safety cannot be guaranteed and your order will not be processed. Because these online pharmacies are directly regulated by the country in which they are based, they are more likely to be reliable. Thus, if you do have a prescription or can allow access to your medical records, an ROP is likely to provide a faster, better quality service. The medications sold through ROPs are also generally cheaper than those from the other online pharmacies.

The speed of delivery

The processing and delivery time depends on three factors:

• how quickly your order is reviewed and filled by the certified pharmacist;
• how quickly your payment is processed; and
• the delivery method used.

The first step is the review by the certified pharmacist of the medical information you have supplied. Only after the order has been approved and a prescription issued will the pharmacy formally begin to process the order for delivery. The most popular payment method is by credit card. This can be processed almost instantaneously depending on the card and the residence of the issuing bank. Other payment methods, e.g. a wire transfer or check, require up to five business days for authorisation and approval.

The fastest and most reliable delivery method is a courier service like FedEx, UPS or DHL. Once your order has been collected, the pharmacy will e-mail a tracking number so that you can follow the status of your shipment. The best couriers deliver to your door within a few days of collecting the package from the pharmacy. This is the preferred delivery method used by the US-based online pharmacies like Pills Courier. Some of the international pharmacies like MtRapidRx also offer a courier service.

Over a distance, the cheaper option is registered airmail. The majority of the international online pharmacies offer this option. It is a little more time-consuming, taking an average of between 10-14 business days. Once processed through the local airport, the mail is delivered by your local postal service, e.g. in the USA, by USPS. The advantage of ordering from an international online pharmacies is the chance to buy the medication at a significantly discounted price as compared to US-based pharmacies. When you add in the saving on airmail as opposed to courier service, the price difference may guide you to choose a pharmacy such as either Simple OP — Canadian Pharmacy or PillSmile. If delivery time is a high priority and you are prepared to pay for courier service, buying from a local online pharmacy is your best bet. If you prefer value for money and do not mind waiting a few more days, buy internationally by airmail.

Shipping geography

Some states have introduced laws to regulate distance buying through the internet. For the most part, these laws are intended to offer protection to buyers and do not affect online pharmacies. But some states have added the power to specify which products, including medications, can or cannot be bought online. So, before you order any medication online, you should check out your local laws and regulations to see whether your customs authorities will allow the medication(s) into your country. The responsible online pharmacies list the countries where such laws exist and signal that they will not ship the medication to your location — this information is usually clearly stated on the order form. But look carefully at the wording on the order form to see who has the responsibility for confirming or rejecting the order. Some pharmacies leave the decision to you and ship if you confirm the order.

Payment methods

When it comes to making payment, you are responsible for protecting your identity against theft. You should always look for the most secure payment system. The best way to keep your personal information secure would be cash on delivery (COD). When the courier arrives at your door with the package, you exchange cash for the goods. Unfortunately, the majority of countries do not allow payment by COD for online transactions.

The second most secure system is the use of a credit card. It is also convenient and safe because some card carriers also offer some level of insurance against fraud, or receipt of damaged or defective goods. Before you enter your card details, make sure that the web page displays the https:// prefix in a URL. This should ensure that the page is secure. Your browser should inform you if the security certificate on the page is invalid or outdated. As a secondary level of security, there may be a validation password required by your card carrier to complete the transaction. If you suspect that your credit card has been used fraudulently by a business or individual, call your bank immediately.

Checks and wire transfers are reasonably secure because you can always trace the accounts into which payments were made. The least convenient and protected method of payment is by money order. Do not send a money order unless you are absolutely sure that the business you are ordering from is trustworthy.

Pitfalls and precautions

While there are several thousand online pharmacies offering their services, only a few have proved themselves honest and reliable. There are long-term problems in the supply of fake medications. Many companies advertise but do not follow policies apparently guaranteeing quality of service. Many try to impose hidden charges. Thus, the wisest course of action is to order from an online pharmacy with a good reputation. Your friends and colleagues are the best sources of information. Word-of-mouth recommendations from someone you know gives the best protection. This does not transfer to online testimonials whether on the sites themselves or in blogs and chatrooms. Anonymous recommendations have little value unless the site itself can be verified in some way.

To help you make the best possible decision, run through this basic checklist before ordering from an online pharmacy.

1. The online pharmacy site should have an “About us” or “Contact us” static page. If an e-mail address is supplied or a contact form offered, send a question to the company before you place an order. You can ask about anything relevant, e.g. about their shipping terms. If there is no reply or all that you receive is an automated acknowledgement, it is probably unwise to order through this site

2. It is a good sign if the static pages list a contact phone number. Call and, if no-one answers or the person who answers is unprofessional, avoid that pharmacy altogether.

3. The site should contain precise and credible shipping and delivery information.

4. The order form on the site should be secure. Click the "Order" link on the site and navigate to the order form. Look for a padlock in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window. There should be a URL that begins https://, or the words "Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)." These signs indicate that no-one but you and the merchant will be able to see your payment information.

5. Use Google to find feedback from current and former customers about the pharmacy. But, when reading uncritical praise, also look at the reliability of the site where this content is displayed.

6. It is useful to search for reports about the pharmacy in forums and consumer groups. Often, customers who have had disappointing experiences will write reviews online. You can find these reports by searching on Google for the business or site name of the online pharmacy. Keep in mind that no company ever has a 100% customer satisfaction rating. There are bound to be at least one or two negative comments. People are more motivated to share negative than positive experiences. So, read all the reports you can find with an open mind and decide whether the balance of the evidence supports buying from that pharmacy.

If you follow our advice, you should not need good luck when you buy online!

Finally, compareop.com wishes you good health and a long life.