Canadian Internet Pharmacies: Are They Legitimate?
online pharmacy safety
Americans seeking reliably low prices on high-quality, safe, and authentic prescription medications have likely heard about Canadian internet pharmacies at least once or twice.
And we’ll be even more upfront: If you’re reading this, clearly, you’re interested in the legitimacy of Canadian internet pharmacies—as you’re reading this, a blog about legitimate Canadian internet pharmacies, on the blog of an online and international prescription medication website.
We have good news for you, as well as some practical words of caution. Canadian internet pharmacies are immensely popular, as they can connect both insured and uninsured Americans with the medications they need to thrive (along with significant savings, of course).
But that popularity does beg a pretty fundamental question: Are Canadian internet pharmacies legitimate?
Let’s take a look.
First Things First: What Is a Canadian Internet Pharmacy?
Very simply put, a Canadian internet pharmacy is an online service, that offers at least some of Canada’s drugs, and where people can find, learn about, and buy both prescription and OTC (or over-the-counter) medications.
Canadian internet pharmacies can offer competitive prices and access to prescription drugs that may be hard to find in the United States.
How is this possible?
Since Canadian internet pharmacies work under different regulations than those applying to pharmacies in the United States, these pharmacies and pharmacy websites may be able to source perfectly legitimate medications from international markets much more easily (and cheaply).
In many cases, this results in savings—savings that reputable online pharmacy websites pass down to you.
Since Canadian internet pharmacies often have either no or far fewer physical locations to rent and maintain, these pharmacies or pharmacy websites tend to have fewer bills to pay, themselves. This results in even more shareable savings.
Canadian internet pharmacies and pharmacy websites, due to their nature as online, mail-order pharmacies, can offer increased convenience by mailing your prescribed medications directly to you, with no costly or frustrating errands required.
All in all, the best Canadian pharmacies and international pharmacy websites can be an incredible resource for Americans seeing quality meds and lower prices.
Of course, you do need to know which Canadian internet pharmacies you can trust in order to access those benefits without experiencing any possible risks.
Are Canadian Internet Pharmacies Legitimate?
Briefly, yes—many Canadian internet pharmacies are absolutely legitimate.
However, unfortunately, others are less so.
(And there are some internet pharmacies out there that are extremely unscrupulous and exist only to scam you out of your hard-earned cash).
Knowing how to identify trustworthy Canadian internet pharmacies and pharmacy websites from scam sites is critical if you’re interested in benefiting from the low prices and great customer service of proper, high-quality online pharmacies.
What Makes a Canadian Internet Pharmacy Legitimate?
Here’s what to look for if you’re interested in finding a trustworthy online pharmacy:
Certification by a trusted third-party entity. In Canada, the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, or CIPA, is a well-known, highly-respected third-party association that vets Canadian internet pharmacies to make sure they adhere to extremely strict regulatory, quality, and safety standards.
If the site you’re looking at has the CIPA seal of approval, you’re in good hands. (Check CIPA’s own list of approved pharmacies for extra confidence.)
The insistence upon (and requirement for) valid prescriptions. Legitimate pharmacies will always (always!) require prescriptions for prescription medications.
Any pharmacy that advertises the fact that you can get around this requirement does not have your best interests in mind.
On-staff, accessible, licensed pharmacists. While part of the value add with online and international pharmacy websites is the fact that you don’t need to talk to anyone when buying potentially personal medications or health products, it’s always good to have someone to speak to when you need to ask a pertinent question.
The best, most reputable online Canadian pharmacy websites do employ licensed pharmacists and healthcare professionals who are able to answer any questions you may have.
Signs of good internet security and protective best practices. Since you’ll be sending personal details that you need kept safe (like your prescription and payment details) through your online pharmacy site of choice, make sure that they use SSL encryption and similar security standards to keep your info private.
Check, too, for signs of good internet security like the Norton Shopping Guarantee and Trust Guard—these are indications that the site is taking all the necessary steps to make you feel comfortable about being a protected customer.
As a bonus extra step, when you’re vetting Canadian internet pharmacies, take a moment to find and read customer reviews because even CIPA-certified sites offer different levels of customer service.
Learning from the experiences of people who are in your specific situation is the best way to peek into your possible future. Sites like Trustpilot can be a good place to start your search for real, verified customer reviews. Check out even more Canadian pharmacy reviews on Shopper Approved.
Why Are Medications Cheaper at Canadian Internet Pharmacies?
If lower prices on medication are the #1 thing you’re looking for in a pharmacy website, we understand. Prices on prescription drugs in America are notoriously high, and it doesn’t seem that these prices will be going down anytime soon.
Yet, at the same time, you may be very aware that there is such a thing as prices being too low to be feasible. Very low prices may seem like a red flag. This is a reasonable concern.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to explain the ability of reputable Canadian internet pharmacies to offer such low prices for authentic, safe, brand-name prescription medications.
Reason #1: The Canadian Government Regulates Pricing.
One of the biggest differences between American and Canadian pharmacies is their regulatory environment.
The Canadian government enforces price caps on medications. The United States government does not.
In the United States, this can (and does) lead to pharmaceutical companies charging sky-high prices for their products.
Elsewhere, there are checks to stop this from happening. By working with Canadian internet pharmacies, American consumers can access these lower prices, thanks to drugs sourced from international markets.
Reason #2: The Availability of Generics
Generic medications, or medications functionally equivalent to brand-name drugs (just without the brand name), are usually far cheaper than their branded variants.
While generic drugs are not always available for every drug, in many cases, particularly for older drugs, generics should be easily available.
In the USA, this isn’t always the case.
If you’ve been prescribed a particularly expensive brand-name drug, it may be worth checking a Canadian internet pharmacy to see if they stock the equivalent generic medication for a more accessible price.
Reason #3: Lower Operational Costs
Think about all of the various bills, salaries, and operational costs associated with running a brick-and-mortar pharmacy.
Between rent for a physical space and costs for running electricity and other utilities, the expenses stack up very quickly.
Online pharmacies and online pharmacy websites, don’t usually have a labor-heavy front shops of tens or hundreds of locations, and therefore can enjoy far fewer costs (or a “lower overhead”).
This means that, unlike larger pharmacy chains, they don’t have to price drugs higher to recoup those costs.
The result? Lower drug prices.
Common Questions About Canadian Internet Pharmacies
While the basic premise behind Canadian internet pharmacies is relatively simple, if you’re an American who’s used to buying prescription medications from a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, the concept can feel new and overwhelming.
We understand.
To help make this feel more accessible and reputable, here’s a quick overview of the top questions we’re asked about Canadian internet pharmacies.
1. Are Canadian Internet Pharmacies Supplying Meds to Americans?
Yes, Canadian internet pharmacies are shipping to Americans.
It’s common to order medications from Canada, as long as they’re for personal use. Checking with your chosen Canadian internet pharmacy for more information is likely a good idea.
However, as long as the medication is for your own use, you have a valid and updated prescription for the medication, and the quantity of the medication is reasonable (e.g., you’re not buying years’ worth of a drug at once), you generally shouldn’t have to worry about whether your Canadian internet pharmacy will ship to you.
2. Will I Receive Authentic Medications?
Yes. If you order your prescribed medications through a CIPA-approved Canadian internet pharmacy, you’ll receive authentic medications.
Before you place your order, take an extra moment or two to carefully verify a international or Canadian pharmacy’s credentials.
3. Are Shipping Costs Expensive?
Typically, the shipping costs you’ll see through reputable Canadian internet pharmacies should be quite affordable.
This may vary on an order-to-order basis, though. If you have any questions about your shipping costs, talk to the customer service team at your chosen Canadian internet pharmacy.
4. What If I Need Help with My Order?
If you need help with your order, you should be able to easily locate and contact the customer support team at your chosen Canadian internet pharmacy.
Depending on the website you’re working with, you may be able to speak directly with an licensed pharmacist who can answer any questions you may have about your medication.
How to Safely Order Medications from a Canadian Internet Pharmacy
Ordering prescription medications from a Canadian internet pharmacy is simpler than you think—but taking a few proactive precautions and smart steps can make your experience even better.
Here’s what we’d recommend doing.
First, Get a Valid Prescription
As we noted above, good Canadian internet pharmacies will require that you provide an updated, valid prescription for the medication you’re planning to purchase.
To obtain a prescription, make an appointment with your doctor (or a licensed doctor, or healthcare professional).
Discuss your medication needs with your doctor. Your doctor will then write you a prescription. Make sure the prescription includes all relevant information, not limited to but including medication dosage and treatment duration.
Then, Select a Canadian Internet Pharmacy
Not all internet pharmacies are created equal.
Stick to trusted providers by checking for signs of reliable, high-quality Canadian pharmacy sites, including:
- CIPA certification
- The requirement for valid prescriptions
- The ability to talk to on-staff pharmacists
- Good customer and plentiful reviews
- Responsive customer service
- A clean, fast website
Follow your gut! If a pharmacy seems to be promising miracle cures or seems sketchy, that’s a good sign to look elsewhere for your prescription meds.
Finally, Place Your Order
When you’re working with a high-quality Canadian internet pharmacy, your ordering process should be relatively straightforward.
Simply navigate through the metaphorical aisles of organized medications, find the medication that matches your prescription, select your dosage from the drop-down menu, and click “add to cart.”
After that, simply follow the on-screen prompts to navigate the quick payment process.
Then, before you know it, your medication will be delivered directly to your front door.
Worried About Delays?
You don’t need to be. In most cases, working with a Canadian internet pharmacy should be a straightforward, efficient process that will get you your medications when you need them.
However, there are a few steps you can take to avoid delays or mitigate the effects of any unforeseen issues.
Order as early as you can. Avoid waiting until your current medications run out to place your next order.
Make sure your information is accurate, from your prescription and dosage information to your shipping and billing addresses. Any inconsistencies or inaccurate information could slow down your delivery.
Track your order. This can help give you a heads-up in case your package encounters any shipping delays.
If you realize that there is an issue with your order, you can always speak directly with customer service to see if there is anything our team can do to help you have a better experience.
Ready to start saving money while enjoying the convenience of international and Canadian mail-order medications?
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we have an extensive catalog of both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Our team is here to help—if you have any questions at all, please reach out. NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your wellness journey.
