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A new survey confirms that most Americans find the drug prices in the United States are too high and frequently out of reach. Thanks to high inflation and interest rates, these problems just keep getting worse. While there are federal and state efforts to bring prescription medication prices down, they simply aren’t enough for most people right now. For example, even if the federal negotiation of drug prices for Medicare is successful, the savings – which would work for only 10 medications – will not be seen until 2026. While this is a great start, hundreds of millions of Americans won’t be helped by these savings as their medications won’t be on the list, or they won’t be eligible for Medicare. For these people, online Canadian pharmacies can be a critical, even lifesaving options. But just how much money are Americans saving using online Canadian pharmacies, and how does a person go about picking a reputable online Canadian pharmacy?
Why Are Online Canadian Pharmacies Being Used by Americans?
Online Canadian pharmacies aren’t just available for Canadians – they are often used by Americans as well. When Americans use online Canadian pharmacies, they can save thousands of dollars per year on their prescribed medications. This is a good thing because, according to a study out of the University of Chicago, 32% of Americans have been unable to fill a prescription or have taken less of a medication because of its cost. This may be because drugs in the United States cost 300% more than the median global price. Prescription prices are so important that they even affect how Americans vote, as shown in a recent survey where 93% of Americans said that drug prices are important to how they will vote in the next election (up nine percent over the prior year).
Americans use online Canadian pharmacies for two reasons:
1. Americans can save money on many prescriptions through personal importation of medication.
2. The right online Canadian pharmacies are trusted to offer safe and reliable medication.
When looking at using an online Canadian pharmacy, reputation matters. It’s also important to ensure that your chosen pharmacy offers the prescription strength and formulation you need.
How Much Money Can Americans Save on Prescriptions Using Online Canadian Pharmacies?
The Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation (CPPI) – a national nonprofit patient advocacy organization that fights for Americans’ access to safe, affordable prescription medications from Canada for personal use – does a yearly survey looking at Americans using Canadian pharmacies, and what they have found is that not only do Americans save money by using Canadian pharmacies, but they actually have saved more and more money year after year.
Specifically, their studies have found that the average American who imported medication from Canada,
• Saved $4,920 annually in 2023.
• Saved $3,744 annually in 2022.
• Saved $2,736 annually in 2021.
• Saved $2,940 annually in 2020.
• Saved $2,352 annually in 2019.
Here are a few of the most common medications that less expensive when purchased through a Canadian online pharmacy:
• Vortioxetine (Trintellix) – An antidepressant sold by GoodRx for $439.16 and Amazon Pharmacy for $388.40. Get it from Canada for $182.59 – a 63% savings.
• Efinaconazole (Jublia) – An antifungal sold by GoodRx for $1537 (not offered by Amazon Pharmacy). Get it from Canada for $143.88 – a 91% savings.
• Sitagliptin (Januvia) – A type 2 diabetes medication sold by GoodRx for $533.41 and Amazon Pharmacy for $537.50. Get it from Canada for $136.49 – a 74% savings.
• Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) – A kidney disease medication sold by GoodRx for $551.57 and Amazon Pharmacy for $491.60. Get it from Canada for $123.80 – a 76% savings.
• Apixaban (Eliquis) – A cholesterol medication sold by GoodRx for $546.53 and Amazon Pharmacy for $572.90. Get it from Canada for $170.62 – a 68% savings.
• Epinephrine Auto Injector (EpiPen) – An anaphylaxis medication sold by GoodRx for $635.83 and Amazon Pharmacy for $621.28. Get it from Canada for $275.467 – a 56% savings.
(Prices obtained in October 2023. More information here.)
One consumer, Daniel Wendell from California, says, "I have had asthma since I was a child and have been on various drugs for its treatment my entire life. Generic versions of my inhaler did not work as well for me. Brand name inhaler prices in the U.S., even from a discount pharmacy, are outrageous -- $400/month. I can get the same medicine from Canada for $100/month.”
Are Online Canadian Pharmacies Safe?
One concern people have about ordering their prescriptions from an online Canadian pharmacy may be whether the medication they purchase will be safe and effective. Not all online pharmacies are created equal – some are reputable, while others are more suspect – but the right pharmacies offer the same medications, often at a much lower price than in the United States. It’s smart to do your investigation ahead of time to select an online pharmacy that meets your needs and specific guidelines.
The CPPI recommends that consumers only purchase from websites approved by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA). According to the CPPI, these CIPA-approved pharmacies will always:
• Require a valid prescription before dispensing medications
• Obtain demographic and medical information and maintain a health profile with medication history to avoid adverse drug interactions
• Have a licensed pharmacist on staff to supervise the dispensing of medications and provide consultation upon request
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of your personal records and contact information
• Not sell controlled substances, narcotics, pseudoephedrine products, or highly temperature-sensitive products, including Botox, Insulin, Victoza, and Saxenda
• Meet website security requirements
• Publish contact information for customer service
• Sell quantities of approximately 3-months’ supply at a time
• Disclose pharmacy location prior to purchase
For a full list of safe online pharmacy websites that meet the safety and privacy standards of the CIPA, see here.
More Tips for Choosing a Safe and Trusted Online Canadian Pharmacy that Will Help You Save Money
According to Health Canada, 74% of online pharmacies in North America are not trustworthy, so you need to know who you’re buying from to stay safe. After all, you don’t save money if what you receive through the mail isn’t real medication.
In addition to choosing a CIPA-approved online pharmacy, consider these tips:
• Make sure the website has a physical mailing address and live, human customer service. You want to have someone to contact in the event that you have questions or any issues.
• Make sure the business is verified by Google My Business or by the Better Business Bureau. These are third-party sources that can help verify the veracity of the business. You can also check and see if any problems with the pharmacy have been reported there.
• Be suspicious of any site that offers “miracle cures.” Remember, you are going to an online pharmacy that should conform to the same rules as a brick-and-mortar pharmacy. They shouldn’t be making claims that aren’t backed up by Food and Drug Administration (or Health Canada) approvals.
• Check online reviews. Reviews for pharmacies are available on Google, and reputable sites are generally on Trustpilot as well. A reputable company will have good reviews and respond to negative reviews promptly.
• Be skeptical of prices that seem too low. While online Canadian pharmacies can save you money – sometimes a significant amount of money – if a deal seems too good to be true, it very well may be. You may want to check the price you’re seeing at multiple online Canadian pharmacies to make sure it’s reasonable.
More Tips for Saving Money on Prescription Medications in the United States
Ordering from an online Canadian pharmacy is one big way to save money on prescriptions in the United States, but it’s not the only one. There are other tips you can consider.
An additional major opportunity to save money on your prescription is to switch to a generic medication if it’s available. While some people view generics as being lesser than brand names, this just isn’t true. Generic medications are regulated the same way brand-name prescription medications are so that they act on the body in the same way. According to the Food and Drug Administration:
“A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use. These similarities help to demonstrate bioequivalence, which means that a generic medicine works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefit as the brand-name medicine.”
Always make sure you discuss the opportunity to take a generic medication with your healthcare provider and tell them if you see any differences in its treatment effectiveness. Most people can move seamlessly from a brand-name medication to its generic counterpart, but everyone is different.
For more facts about generics, see our infographic here.
Other prescription money-saving tips include:
• Look for discounts online. Look for coupons through third-party sites or through the medication manufacturer. The manufacturer may also offer a discount program. Check with them to see if one exists and if you’re eligible.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about any discounts or assistance programs with which they are familiar.
• Buy in bulk. You can save money on your prescriptions in the United States by being a careful, savvy healthcare consumer and buying your prescription medication at https://www.canadianpharmacyking.com. You should buy from us because:
* We are verified by the CIPA and the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA).
* We have been in business since 2003.
* We have a call center that provides superior customer support in multiple languages, including Spanish.
* We have a team of highly trained support staff and licensed pharmacists.
* We have over 80,000 satisfied customers.
* We have a 4.9 out of five rating on Trustpilot with 94% of ratings https://www.canadianpharmacyking.com/KingsBlog/Why-Order-Your-Prescriptions-with-Canadian-Pharmacy-King/being five stars.
Learn more about us here:
Canadian Pharmacy King believes that everyone should be able to afford the medications they need.
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Sources
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3. CPPI Annual Survey Responses. (2023, October). Canadian Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://18f1f2fa-13ce-485b-9729-b28df0307c82.usrfiles.com/ugd/18f1f2_0ced916ba6094e48855a29b5864fab1f.pdf
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7. Importation, C. F. P. P. (n.d.). National survey reveals Americans saving $5,000 a year by ordering prescriptions from Canada. ACCESSWIRE News Room. https://www.accesswire.com/792214/national-survey-reveals-americans-saving-5000-a-year-by-ordering-prescriptions-from-canada
8. Prescription drug prices at U.S. pharmacies are four times the cost of Canada. (2023, October 10). Personalimportation. https://www.personalimportation.org/post/prescription-drug-prices-at-u-s-pharmacies-are-four-times-the-cost-of-canada
9. Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2021, March 16). Generic drugs: questions & answers. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/frequently-asked-questions-popular-topics/generic-drugs-questions-answers
10. The US Prescription Drug Report 2021 - NiceRX. (n.d.). https://www.nicerx.com/prescription-drug-report-2021/
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