by Tiffany Baum

Created on: September 26, 2010   Last Updated: November 11, 2010

Buying medication from an underground network is never the smartest way to go.  Yes, they may be the cheapest, but if you are going through that source there comes more of a chance of getting tainted or fake drugs.  Which, in essence, may cause more harm than good to your body.  On the other hand, if you are buying from a reputable pharmacy, the guess work is taken out of how safe the product is. But, depending on your needs and your insurance provider, the most efficient way to go is to buy from an online pharmacy.

They are many online pharmacies to choose from: Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and CVS/Caremark to name a few.  The first step is, of course, getting a prescription from your doctor.  Then registering with one of the above mentioned online pharmacies.  During the course of setting up your account, you will also provide answers to security questions.  These security questions are just another method of protecting your account. 

After you set up your account, now is the time to order your prescription.  With CVS, for example, you can do have three methods of ordering a new prescription.  The first being a mail order form that you download and print from the website.  On this form, you print in your information, as well as the doctor information, and you method of payment.  Once completed, you mail the form and your prescription to the address that is provided on the form.  The second method is contacting Caremark at their toll-free number and they will contact the doctor for you.  Finally, CVS has a Fast Start program where they will contact the doctor for you online. 

Once you have received your prescription and you are due for a refill, usually the website will contact you via e-mail.  Thus, you can either reorder your refills manually or use an auto fill option.  CVS, for example, gives you two other options on refilling your medication.  One is transferring your online prescription to a CVS store or having your refill done my mail. 

There are other options that you have at your fingertips when you use an online pharmacy.  For starters, you can see your prescription history.  This information provides you with how many refills you have left on your medications.  If you are using insurance, then the website will provide you with information based on your coverage. 

Finally, when it comes to ordering a new prescription the best place to go is a reputable pharmacy.  They have qualified and approved manufacturers who know what they are doing.  They are not in the business of putting the public at risk with fake or tainted drugs.  If going to the regular downtown pharmacy just don't fit your needs, then there are many online, reputable, well-known pharmacies that are just as reliable. 

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