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As with most of life’s necessities, you can purchase medical supplies online. For the most part, doing so is safe and often cheaper, so it can be a great way to save yourself money. With that said, you need to know that online medical fraud is a huge industry, netting criminals billions of dollars every year. In such a climate, a certain amount of knowledge and research is needed to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
Throughout this article, you’ll learn about some things you should be wary of as you make your online purchases. You’ll also discover some common mistakes people make when buying medical supplies online so you can avoid making them yourself.
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Research, Research, and Research Some More
You should never buy anything online without doing a fair amount of research first. This is especially true when it comes to determining where to buy medical supplies online. If you don’t read reviews or research your purchases, you could end up buying from a fraudulent seller whose only goal is to take your money.
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Sound Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is
We told you earlier that it’s possible to get medical supplies cheaper online, but you must know how to discern a good deal from a fraudulent one. Organized crime groups mass-produce fake medications, which often contain harmful chemicals. This is all done in the name of getting you to part with your money, and they don’t care about the harm they cause. If the medical supplies you’re purchasing online are drastically discounted, be wary. The deal is likely too good to be true.
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Avoid Unlicensed Pharmacies
The internet is full of pharmacy websites that may or may not be licensed. Unlicensed pharmacies are often run by criminals who care nothing for your health and only for their bottom line. If you buy medications from an unlicensed pharmacy, you could end up much sicker than you started because the drugs they sell are often not recommended for human consumption.
You can find licensed pharmacies online by adding this to your list of things to research. Don’t skip this step – your life could depend on it.
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Avoid Buying Certain Medical Supplies Second-Hand
Buying refurbished second-hand medical supplies can sometimes be a great thing. For instance, a hospital bed, wheelchair, or some other type of mobility equipment – if in good shape – can often be obtained at a far cheaper price than you’d pay for one brand new.
When it comes to buying other types of medical supplies online, however, you should avoid this at all costs. First of all, it’s illegal for someone to sell drugs prescribed to them. Second, you just don’t know what you’re getting. It’s too risky and not worth it to buy someone else’s prescription drugs for your own use.
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Don’t Buy More Than You Need
With the global pandemic still impacting the world as we speak, many people are hoarding medical supplies and equipment. Please don’t do this as it could take much-needed equipment and supplies away from someone who needs them now. We know it’s scary to think you may not have access to the supplies you need at some point, but we’re all in the same boat, so think of yourself as part of a global community, and don’t buy more than you need.
Buying medical supplies online has the potential to be a risky venture, but if you follow the advice above, you should be able to discern what’s a good deal and what isn’t.
