By Nicole Levison

The story is all too familiar: A lack of money forces a person to cut corners. In the case of prescription drugs, an individual might skip doses, cut doses in half, not get the prescription filled at all, or try to obtain a good deal by ordering from some seedy Website.

It’s always tempting to save a bit of money with your health care, but when it comes to your well-being, the temptation is really not worth it.

Some pros and cons of ordering meds online:

Pros:

• Convenience
• Privacy
• Sometimes you can find better deals

Cons:

• If you order from a unknown or dishonest site, you risk your life by taking substandard, counterfeit, or unapproved medications
• Customer service can be impersonal

Ordering Online

If you chose to order medicine online, keep these tips in mind:

• Verify that a site is reputable. One way to be sure is if the site displays a VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal, which determines that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has certified a druggist. www.Walgreens.com, www.cvs.com, www.riteaid.com, and www.Walmart.com are examples of trusted online pharmacies.
• Don’t shop from Websites based overseas. Not only is it unsafe, but it is illegal to buy from foreign sites.
• Be aware: Spamming is unethical. Do not buy from a company that contacts you first. A business that breaks the law by spamming is probably willing to break other consumer regulations that protect you.
• Research safe prescription information. Sites such as www.buysafedrugs.info/ contain valuable information on the dangers of buying prescription drugs from overseas companies.

Resources

Some resources to offer you assistance in paying for your prescriptions include:

• www.BenefitsCheckup.org. Aids in determining government programs for which a person may qualify to help with healthcare costs.
• www.TheMedicineProgram.com. Helps patients who cannot afford their prescriptions.
• www.NeedyMeds.com. Provides information about patient assistance programs which supply no cost prescription medications to eligible participants.
• www.Pparx.org. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance aims to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible.
• www.VA.gov. If you qualify for veteran’s benefits, you can get lower cost prescriptions through the VA.
• www.AARPpharmacy.com. If you or your care recipient is over 50, AARP offers discounts to their members.
• Your local pharmacy: Be sure to speak with your local pharmacist about Medicare Part D drug benefit. It is available now!

If you have a complaint about a drug supply Website, or you would like more in-depth guidelines about purchasing prescriptions online, visit the Food and Drug Administration.

My mother, who lives on a tight budget, reminds me constantly that good health is where it all starts. I believe she is referring to happiness and general state of mind. Rather than risk your most important commodity—your health—make safe decisions.

As frustrating as it is to navigate the health system and try to make ends meet, you are extraordinary—you’re a caregiver—and you will find a way to save money that doesn’t compromise your or your loved one’s health.

Thanks for the good advice, Mom.