Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards.
Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist)
Viagra is a prescription drug in the United States that is often used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Known as “the little blue pill,” it has been incredibly popular since its release by Pfizer in 1998. Erectile dysfunction is defined as when a person is unable to have or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. Viagra contains sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. In simple terms, this means that Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis to aid in creating and maintaining an erection.
Viagra in the United States can be expensive and sometimes hard to obtain if you cannot afford the time or money to go to the doctor. In Canada, Viagra can cost hundreds of dollars less than their US counterparts. Is It legal and safe to buy Canadian Viagra? What should I consider? You will find detailed information on this topic in this article.
Viagra In The United States - What Should I Know?
In the United States, medications can often be incredibly expensive, even with health insurance. Pfizer sells Viagra for around $60 per pill, while Generic Viagra is sold for about $30. These prices are lower than other medications on the market. However, some people truly cannot afford it without giving up other vital needs.
Viagra is also a prescription medication in the US, meaning you must go to the doctor and receive a written script to obtain it legally. These reasons cause many Americans to look to foreign countries for these kinds of drugs, such as Canada.
Can I Buy Viagra Online in Canada?
In Canada, Viagra too is a prescription medication. If you are a Canadian citizen and have a script, then you can buy Viagra online in Canada. If you live abroad, you can also purchase it from Canada if you have a prescription. However, there are a number of risks involved which will be discussed later.
Medications in Canada are typically much cheaper than their American counterparts. This means that you can get a more affordable pack of Viagra by ordering from an online Canadian pharmacy. This is what makes ordering from Canadian pharmacies so attractive for Americans looking for an alternative. The risks are not worth it, though.
“Cheap Viagra Online Canadian Pharmacy” - Why Are Americans Searching This?
As stated before, prescription medication in the United States can be expensive and sometimes hard to obtain if you cannot afford the time or money to go to the doctor. This is why many Americans have opted to look to Canada to avoid the high costs of prescription drugs since the Canadian government controls the prices of medicines rather than private corporations.
In Canada, prescription drugs can cost hundreds of dollars less than their US counterparts. An example from 2013 shows that a 30 tablet supply of Abilify costs almost $200 in a Canadian e-pharmacy. When ordered in the United States in a pharmacy such as Walgreens, this same 30 day supply costs just over $700. In the US, Viagra can be found anywhere between $15 to $30. E-pharmacies sell it for as little as $1.
Many don’t want to miss work to go to the doctor. Insurance is also a significant factor, in which some cannot afford the price of a doctor’s visit. This can cause Americans to look elsewhere for ways to get the medication they need.
Some are embarrassed to talk to their doctor about problems with erectile dysfunction, especially if it’s a doctor they have seen for many years. This can also cause people to avoid a doctor’s visit and seek other ways to get Viagra.
Viagra From A Canadian Online Pharmacy: Dangers & Risks
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has conducted studies consisting of 8300 pharmacies in July 2011. These studies showed that only 3% of those pharmacies were legitimate operations and not rogue pharmacies operating illegally.
These “rogue” pharmacies would often present themselves as Canadian, when in fact they were operating in other parts of the world selling unregulated medication. This means that often, the drugs were counterfeit.
Of all the drugs that were screened and found to be counterfeit, the most common ones were lifestyle drugs such as Viagra. There have even been studies conducted on drugs seized at the border that found that 98% of the counterfeit drugs were Viagra.
The term counterfeit can mean several different things when it comes to medication. These include, but are not limited to:
- The drug advertised is not the drug that is being sold
- The active ingredient in the medication is a different dosage or not present at all
- Other harmful ingredients could be present in the drug that are not on the label
- Expired drugs could be sold
- Chemical compounds within the drug that are not listed on the label could be present, causing severe health risks or even death
The NABP has previously stated that of 35,000 active online pharmacies, 96% are operating illegally, not following the various federal and state laws that protect consumers of medication. In most cases of these rogue pharmacies, they are run by international dealers posing as Canadian pharmacies in an entirely different part of the world.
You run an even higher risk if you receive a counterfeit drug, and those unregulated ingredients mix with your other medicines.
Is It Legal To Order Canadian Viagra from the US?
Under the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, it is illegal for anyone other than the original drug manufacturer to bring foreign drugs into the United States. This means that technically, it is against the law to order medicines, such as Viagra, from Canada.
However, federal officials have been turning a blind eye to most of these medication orders as long as they follow specific guidelines. This is known as “enforcement discretion.” What this means is that when dealing with drugs at the border, some United States officials may look the other way so long as the drugs are not narcotics or obviously not for personal use (i.e. over a 90 day supply). This is not guaranteed of course, and people have been charged for importing Viagra across the border, even for personal use.
Ultimately, this means that you could order medications from Canada if they are in 90-day quantities or less, and take the risk that ‘enforcement discretion’ goes your way. While all packages are subjected to inspection, if your package meets the above guidelines, then it might be approved and sent on. Do you want to take that risk though?
Why Should I Not Buy Viagra Online From Canada?
Health regulations are different depending on the country. This means that even if you receive the correct drug you are ordering, in this case, Viagra, it could still be different than the Viagra from the United States due to various medication regulations. The active ingredient could be in a different amount. Doses may also be different.
As stated before, online pharmacies that claim to be in Canada could be operated from another part of the world entirely, such as India or Africa. This means that the drugs sold are at an even higher risk of being counterfeit since the regulations are not as strict in these places. Other risks include:
- Different levels of the active ingredient could be present
- The active ingredient could not be present at all
- Different dosages are possible
- You may receive a different drug entirely
- The product may not even be shipped, scamming you out of your money
The risks are high when ordering from these online pharmacies. It is hard to tell if they are legitimate, especially since they are international. However, there are alternative options to avoid the high costs of a doctor’s visit, the time it takes out of your busy day, and the embarrassment you may feel.
Online Prescription As An Alternative To Canadian Viagra
An alternative option for an in-person doctor’s visit is telemedicine. Doctors in recent times have adapted to the busy schedules of workers in the 21st century, as well as the convenience of technology. These telemedicine services often operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
Convenience
The convenience of online doctor services is astounding. You can avoid driving to the doctor when you’re sick, and waiting for an appointment in the waiting room with other ill patients. If you cannot take time off of work, from the kids, or other daily life restrictions, you can easily have your appointment after hours to accommodate your schedule.
Online Doctors Are Cheaper
Online doctors are also typically cheaper than in-person visits. Because telemedicine services do not require the same facilities and equipment as typical doctor’s offices, you are not required to pay as much. Another plus is that even if the online doctor does not accept your health insurance, it will most likely still be cheaper than a physical doctor visit.
Questionnaires & Video Chats
Most online services will have you fill out a questionnaire before your appointment to get details regarding your medical history, lifestyle, health concerns, insurance, and more. Once they have retrieved this information about you, you can typically schedule an appointment on the same day of contacting the service.
Online doctors commonly offer one-hour video chats to examine you, ask questions, etc. These offer the doctor’s full attention, rather than rushing you out of an exam room so the doctor can check on other patients, such as in physical doctor’s offices. You can even message or call your doctor any time you need to ask questions. Online doctors also have fewer patients than in-person services, often having between 200-400 patients.
Online Pharmacies
Often, online doctor services have an associated partner pharmacy connected to their service. This means that once you complete your appointment with the online doctor and he writes you a prescription, it can automatically be sent to them. From there, you can easily order your medication and have it delivered right to your door, hassle-free.
This all-in-one service is convenient because you won’t have to wait for hours for a pharmacist to fill your medication at a physical pharmacy. If you don’t have time to go to a local drug store to pick up medicine, this is also a good option since it arrives safely at your door.
Online doctors are a cheaper, simpler alternative to in-person doctor’s visits. If you are embarrassed to discuss erectile dysfunction with your family GP, consider an online appointment and pharmacy. You will get the help you need quickly and easily!
- Report Suspected Unlawful Sales of Pharmaceutical Drugs on the Internet
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