Online pharmacy use helps Americans maintain medical care

When it comes to essential medications, people may take shortcuts or stop administering regular doses in order to help save money. Using a prescription at an accredited online pharmacy can help people control their expenses and still get the pills they need, but for those who aren't aware of these options or simply don't use them, one study has found that the internet pharmacy options are essential for getting low-income patients the medications they need for ongoing illnesses.

Finding a legal online pharmacy is one of the main practices of many respondents in a recent RxRights survey. In collaboration with the American Enterprise Institute, the results showed that roughly 40 percent of United States residents who use online pharmacies check with establishments like PharmacyChecker, CIPA and the Pharmacy Accreditation Services before giving out information online. Over 85 percent of those who use such outlets have chronic conditions and sought out internet options in order to save money.

RxRights showed that a correlation exists between age, income and ability to obtain medications. According to the firm's results, around half of all respondents made less than $50,000 per year, and about 77 percent were at least 50 years of age. This population may be more likely to suffer from long term conditions, requiring ongoing and expensive medication regimens.

Easier availability online with a prescription
PharmacyChecker released a list of safe name brand drugs available through legal online pharmacies, highlighting the vast cost savings Americans can enjoy when shopping internationally for their medications. With a physician's prescription, the source showed that, on average, online versions of the same drugs were about 80 percent cheaper than U.S. options.

This could be a critical finding for some patients with chronic illnesses who might stop taking necessary pills to save money. The impact of such an action could be fatal, according to research from the University of Colorado, but when patients can't afford their medicines, they may not have any other choice. Researchers at the school looked at lymphoma patients in the midst of a medication shortage, during which time doctors had to change treatments to a potentially less effective pill. This action alone caused a more than 10 percent drop in survival rates over a two-year period, the source stated. While many patients won't need to go online for their chemotherapy drugs, this study highlights the impact that a lack of proper medicines can have on long term care.