PharmacyChecker Consumer Support
PharmacyChecker is the only free, independent company that verifies the safety of Canadian and other international online pharmacies. We then compare their drug prices to U.S. discounts so you get the best deal.
We're here to answer your questions relating to all aspects of PharmacyChecker's work ensuring consumer safety in accessing affordable medication online. You can contact us at info@pharmacychecker.com or call (718) 554-3067.
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm EST
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can Americans save by purchasing their prescription drugs online?
U.S. consumers could pay up to 90% less than what they pay at a local pharmacy — savings like this has meant thousands of dollars a year for users of PharmacyChecker price comparisons. Cost is the difference between patients adhering to their prescribed medication and having to go without it. Americans are forced to make tough decisions: Do I pay my bills? Or should I skip my meds this week? This is unacceptable. Everyone deserves the opportunity and choice to purchase more affordable medication from licensed pharmacies, whether domestic or international.
How fast is international prescription delivery?
Be advised that medication ordered from outside the U.S. can normally take 2-3 weeks to arrive. If ordering medication from India, it can take even longer. If you need your medication quickly, then you should consult your local pharmacy for immediate supply, and then you may want to purchase more internationally for future use. We publish a pharmacy profile for each accredited pharmacy in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program to provide consumers with specific details, such as particular shipping locations, shipping costs, and payment methods accepted by the pharmacy.
Is it safe to order medication online from a pharmacy outside the U.S.?
Yes, as long as you buy from the safest international online pharmacies. With a valid prescription for the medication ordered, dispensed from a licensed pharmacy that is verified in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program, it is exceedingly safe. Peer-reviewed studies, based on testing of prescription medication and online pharmacy practices, strongly demonstrate the safety of ordering medications from an international online pharmacy approved in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program. It is important to note, risks do exist when ordering medication from an unverified international online pharmacy, particularly one that does not require a prescription.
How does PharmacyChecker.com verify the safety of online pharmacies?
PharmacyChecker.com operates the Verification Program to evaluate online pharmacies by checking their credentials and practices. Below are key verification criteria that PharmacyChecker.com uses to qualify or disqualify applicants. More information on the Verification Program is available here.
- Pharmacy license with applicable pharmacy board or licensing authority
- DEA-issued license for controlled substances for U.S. pharmacies only; international pharmacies are not permitted to ship controlled substances into the U.S.
- Prescription is required based on an in-person examination, except where prescriptions based on remote consultations are expressly permitted by law
- Privacy policy that affirms a consumer's information will not be shared with third parties
- Financial and personal information are secure: encryption required on web pages where financial and personal information is transmitted
- Contact information: verified mailing address and phone number published on website
- Pharmacy inspections for those based in certain locations outside the U. S. and in countries with less regulatory enforcement and oversight
Jeffrey Poirier, MBA, RPh, a licensed U.S. pharmacist, manages the Verification Program and performs inspections of the pharmacies. For more information on Mr. Poirier and other key management, click here.
How do Americans spot a dangerous online pharmacy?
A rogue online pharmacy is a website that intentionally sells fake, counterfeit, adulterated, unlicensed or even genuine and regulated medication but without requiring a prescription. PharmacyChecker.com identifies and only verifies online pharmacies that meet very high safety standards. Online pharmacies based outside the U.S. are not "rogue" by definition. Licensed and legitimate pharmacies in Canada and other countries sell safe and effective medications internationally, including to consumers in the U.S. Some regulatory bodies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), refer to such pharmacies as "illegal" or "fake" but such distinctions can mislead consumers and impede their access to affordable, safe and effective medication that they cannot obtain locally due to high U.S. drug prices. Pharmacies in some countries are equally as safe if not safer than those in the U.S. To learn more about different pharmaceutical standards, click here.
Is it legal to order prescription drugs online?
There is no law against ordering medication online. As a resident of the U.S., it's entirely legal to order medication online that is mailed directly from a state-licensed pharmacy. International drug importation is another story: Technically, in the U.S., under most circumstances, it is prohibited to import medication that you order internationally online. However, it is important to know that people in the U.S. are not prosecuted for doing so, as long as the medication imported is for your own use and not for resale. Laws affecting the importation of medication for personal use are different from country to country. For instance, personal drug importation is legal in Australia. We write about these developments frequently. Here's a great post breaking down the latest: State Drug Importation Laws. What's the deal?
What if my medication gets stuck at Customs?
While the law allows the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to detain and refuse international prescription orders arriving through the mail, less than one percent of medication orders are actually stopped, at least for orders where a prescription is required. If that happens, you will receive a letter from the FDA that your drug order was detained or refused. You are allowed to challenge the FDA’s decision and try and have it released. To learn how to provide testimony to the FDA if they take your medication, you can go to the website of Prescription Justice to reclaim your import.
Launched in 2003 by founder Tod Cooperman, M.D., PharmacyChecker.com fills a critical need for a growing number of Americans turning to the Internet to find affordable prescription medications. A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation in November of 2016 found that 8% of Americans say they have imported medication for personal use, which is about 19 million people. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about four million Americans imported a medication from an international source due to high drug prices in 2014.
PharmacyChecker.com's verifications and price comparisons have been recommended and referenced by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, People's Pharmacy, and many others.
Do you have other questions?
Complaints about Pharmacies
If you have a problem with an online pharmacy listed on this site or one that displays the PharmacyChecker.com seal on its own website, you can file a complaint here.
User Privacy
For our privacy policy and any questions regarding your information and security, click here.
Contact
Mailing Address
PharmacyChecker.com
333 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Email Address
Phone Number
(718) 554-3067