5 Reasons to Order Medicine from Canada
With the price of prescription drugs continuing to rise in the United States, there are undoubtedly growing concerns about affordability. In addition to this, there are more cases of non-adherence (i.e., failing to stick with a prescription medication) simply because patients cannot afford their medications. While this may seem like a losing battle, there are ways to still afford medications. One such way is to order medicine from Canada. If you're new to the concept, read on to see why you should consider this option and how you can do it.
Why You Should Order Medicine from Canada
No healthcare system is flawless; however, the cost for prescription medications in the United States is infamously expensive. With this in mind, here are a few reasons why you may want to order medicine from Canada instead of purchasing it at a US pharmacy:
1. Rising Costs Are Making Medications Unaffordable
As pointed out by CNBC, this is most notable with the outrageous price hike for Daraprim which rose from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill in 2015. However, Daraprim isn't the only drug that saw such a huge jump in price. The EpiPen also drastically rose in price to $600 for a two-pack in 2016.
With this in mind, it isn't surprising that Americans spent $1112 per person on prescription drugs in 2014, while Canadians only spent $772 in comparison, according to Bernie Sanders.
2. Expensive Drug Prices Prevent People from Taking Medications as Prescribed
There's also the growing issue of non-adherence, with cost being a major deterrent.
According to a review in the Annals of Internal Medicine, approximately 20% to 30% of prescriptions are never filled. The researchers also highlighted that around 50% of medications for chronic disease aren't taken as prescribed.
This, of course, is largely problematic for an obvious reason: it can have serious consequences for people's health and wellbeing. According to the review, approximately 125,000 people die annually due to non-adherence. It also results in around 10% of hospitalizations.
3. There May be Some Caveats with Your Medicare Coverage
Upon turning 65, Americans are eligible for Medicare coverage, allowing them a reduction in their health care costs.
While this is certainly beneficial, there are some potential limitations that could result in more out-of-pocket expenditure depending on the plan.
As pointed out in a study by the Commonwealth Fund, "Medicare beneficiaries spent an average of $3,024 per year on out-of-pocket costs". Of this, they pointed out that 25% of this cost was on prescription drugs. It's important to note that these costs do not include any premiums beneficiaries are required to pay.
In addition to this, speciality drugs can also prove to be expensive- even for those with Medicare coverage. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, "out-of-pocket costs can reach as high as $11,538 for a single drug."
As noted in NPR's article, the analysis also found that "seniors taking Revlimid for cancer could end up paying $11,538 of their own money… even when that medicine is covered under their Medicare prescription drug plan."
With such outrageous out-of-pocket expenses even while being covered by Medicare, it may be more cost effective to order Medicine from Canada instead.
4. Generics Are Cheaper But Not Always Covered by Insurers
As a way to save on prescription medication, the general advice is to opt for the generic version. However, as pointed out by ProPublica, "some insurers and benefit managers have insisted that patients forgo generics and buy brand-name drugs."
Their article, in collaboration with the New York Times, also explains that "corporations are cutting deals that give consumers little choice but to buy brand-name drugs." They also discuss how people "sometimes pay more at the pharmacy counter than they would for generics."
5. Legitimate Canadian Mail-Order Pharmacies are Regulated
Concern about the validity of a Canadian mail-order pharmacy is certainly reasonable, especially given that there are many fake online pharmacies. However, websites that are certified by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) are trustworthy.
This is because any CIPA certified pharmacy must abide by strict Canadian laws. All CIPA members must also sell Health Canada-approved medications. This means that customers receive authentic medications that have to meet Health Canada's standards.
Where to Buy Drugs Online for a Better Deal
The high price for prescription medication in the United States is undeniably frustrating. From skyrocketing prices rendering medications unaffordable to insurers refusing to cover more cost-effective generics, it's likely cheaper to order medicine from Canada depending on your coverage or situation.
If you're wondering where to buy drugs online, start by shopping for medications on our website.
Our mail order pharmacy has been in businesses for over 15 years. We're also a CIPA certified business, meaning that we abide by strict Canadian regulations set by the government. In this way, you'll never receive fake or unsafe medications. We also have qualified pharmacists dispensing your prescriptions, thus ensuring your safety.
In addition to this, you'll notice that our prices are significantly more affordable-both for brand-name and generic drugs. We'll also price match if you find the product for less elsewhere.
If you've never purchased medications online prior to this, keep these 4 tips to pick reputable Canadian online pharmacies in mind.
Final Word
With the prices of prescription medications skyrocketing, it's no surprise that more and more people want to order medicine from Canada.
If you're still undecided, take a look at some of the benefits when you buy prescription drugs online.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
