Canadian Pharmacies

[Art Vandelay]

For those who have to pay for their own insurance or have not insurance, you likely know most individual plans are changing to generic only Rx plans. With the astronomical cost of some name brand medications (especially those without generic equivalents), I've often wondered how safe or reliable out of country pharmacies are. A quick google search reveals a number of foreign pharmacies selling medication at a fraction of the cost. What I'm having a harder time deciphering is how reliable any of these places are. Even when doing the name of the pharmacy + "scam" it brings up a myriad of hits which may or may not be websites maintained by the pharmacy itself.

Does anyone have any history (positive or negative) with ordering medication online?

[falafel]

I don't have any experience, but I'm suddenly interested. Two of my kids take singulair daily for asthma/allergies. I'm on a high deductible plan, and a 30 day supply runs about $150.

[Art Vandelay]

I don't have any experience, but I'm suddenly interested. Two of my kids take singulair daily for asthma/allergies. I'm on a high deductible plan, and a 30 day supply runs about $150.

According to this site, which I found by reading on the AARP site, canadadrugs.com appears to be a legitimate site. Montair, the generic for Singular, would be $91 for a 90 day supply.

[falafel]

Thanks Art. I am going to look into this a bit more.

[RC Vikings]

I'm having a hard time finding any information but do you know if they sell any ED drugs. Honestly you would think I could find out on the internet but so far no luck.

[PharmCoug]

For those who have to pay for their own insurance or have not insurance, you likely know most individual plans are changing to generic only Rx plans. With the astronomical cost of some name brand medications (especially those without generic equivalents), I've often wondered how safe or reliable out of country pharmacies are. A quick google search reveals a number of foreign pharmacies selling medication at a fraction of the cost. What I'm having a harder time deciphering is how reliable any of these places are. Even when doing the name of the pharmacy + "scam" it brings up a myriad of hits which may or may not be websites maintained by the pharmacy itself.

Does anyone have any history (positive or negative) with ordering medication online?

I'd be leery getting the meds online. Picking them up in person would be a safer alternative. Do you know someone near the border?

Also just a quick FYI...buying drugs in another country is completely illegal, however, it is almost never prosecuted.

[falafel]

I'd be leery getting the meds online. Picking them up in person would be a safer alternative. Do you know someone near the border?

Also just a quick FYI...buying drugs in another country is completely illegal, however, it is almost never prosecuted.

Leery because of threat of prosecution? or for some other reason?

[PharmCoug]

Leery because over the internet you may not actually be getting the drug you are hoping for. There are many instances where drugs over the internet have been tested and they did not contain the drug, or the correct dose of the drug. This is mainly a mexico issue, but has happened in Canada. Normal Canadian pharmacies are every bit as good as those in the U.S. and the drugs are much cheaper.

[cougjunkie]

I just picked up a 10 day prescription of eye drops for my daughter and it ran me $120.

[Art Vandelay]

I just picked up a 10 day prescription of eye drops for my daughter and it ran me $120.

Vigamox? Hopefully not from her pediatrician or an urgent care Rx. Safe antibiotic, loved by Peds, but unnecessary or the wrong med 50% of the time.

[NorthwestUteFan]

If they come from a reputable manufacturer like Cipla, or others in India, they are likely ok. We owe the success of becoming pregnant with our first child to Mexican sourced Clomid.
YMMV, of course.

I wish I had access to a foreign substitute for the prescription my dermatologist gave me for a very minor (nickel size) case of psoriasis on my elbow. The tube cost $578 with tax. I have good insurance, but it still made me feel guilty. The worst thing is, I don't see much of an improvement with this stuff over OTC creams plus healthy doses of sunshine.

[Surfah]

Growing up in southern California, I know people that routinely went to Mexico to buy prescription meds. Mostly Mormon mommies buying Fen-Phen.

[wuapinmon]

Don't Canadians call pharmacies "apothecaries?"

[Art Vandelay]

Don't Canadians call pharmacies "apothecaries?"

eh?

[Borg]

I'm wondering if the most safe route would be to google a reputable chain pharmacy in a Canadian cit like Vancouver or something, call them up, and ask them if they sell to the U.S. If they do, fax them your prescription, pay by Visa and have them ship it to you.

At least you can verify the source somewhat by phone, and you can determine if it is at least a reputable chain pharmacy. I think I like that approach better than trying a random online pharmacy.