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Will You Save Money Buying Synthroid from Canada?

You can often save money buying a brand-name prescription medication from Canada, but make sure you are dealing with a legitimate pharmacy.

Drugs are more expensive in the US than anywhere else in the world. In many other countries, the government puts a cap on what the pharmaceutical companies can charge for their products. This does not happen in the US. As a result, many Americans are left wondering if they could save money buying their prescription medications from Canada.

Can You Save Money Buying Medicine from Canada?

Q. I take Synthroid for a long-standing hypothyroid condition.

My insurance company wants me to take generic levothyroxine instead. It is much more affordable, but the generic is not as effective for me. I have heard similar comments from others.

It would be less costly to buy my Synthroid from a Canadian drugstore. Is this safe?

A. Purchasing brand-name prescription drugs from Canada is often much less expensive. Using PharmacyChecker.com, we found that Synthroid costs between $30 and $40 for 90 pills from a certified Canadian pharmacy. In the US, a similar supply could cost over $100. There is rarely a cost saving on generic drugs, however.

Is It Safe to Buy Medicine from Canada?

The FDA discourages Americans from buying their medications through Canadian online pharmacies. In fact, it is not legal to do so. It seems, however, that the government is not eager to prosecute people who purchase their much-needed medicines from Canadian drugstores online.

Some unscrupulous websites sell counterfeit drugs. They may claim to be Canadian even though they may actually be located elsewhere in the world. That is why you should verify that any pharmacy you utilize is legitimate. To help you determine which online Canadian pharmacies are trustworthy and better understand this complicated system, we offer our recently updated Guide to Saving Money on Medicines.

8/27/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/can-you-save-money-buying-your-medicine-from-canada/

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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