For the millions of Americans who are uninsured or underinsured, the out of pocket expense to order prescription drugs can put a strain on a family's finances and their quality of life. Sometimes, families have to choose between buying medications and other financial needs. That's why an online pharmacy can fill the gap and prevent people from having to make the difficult choice as to whether to buy medications or other of life's necessities. Even discount pharmacies in the United States don't provide the cheap prescription drugs that the best online pharmacies offer.

The truth is, many online pharmacies offer the same drugs dispensed in the United States that are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical companies. Oftentimes, the difference is simply the cost. That's because pharmaceutical companies have one set of prices for drugs in the United States and another, cheaper set of prices for drugs in other countries. That's why the typical online pharmacy is based in Canada - it is able to get the same drugs from the same manufacturers, but can charge the customer less because their cost is less.

For the best buy in prescription drugs, opt for generic medications from an online pharmacy. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as their name brand counterparts, and work just as effectively, but cost much less. Generally, pharmaceutical companies are allowed to patent their drugs for a period of about ten years, during which time you can only purchase the brand name drug. After that time, however, other pharmaceutical companies are also allowed to manufacture generic versions of the drug, at much less cost. If you are currently taking a brand name drug, it's worth inquiring as to whether a generic version is available, and asking your doctor if the generic form would be equally effective for you.

Even if you prefer the brand name versions of prescriptions, an online pharmacy can still fill that prescription for you at a steep discount. The most popular brand name medications include Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Propecia, Xenical, and Soma. However, generic versions of these drugs are also available.

Ordering from an online pharmacy is easier than you think. You can fax your prescription to the online pharmacy, which will then fill the prescription and ship it to you in an unmarked package. For the uninsured or underinsured who cannot afford to visit their doctors for routine visits in order to obtain prescriptions, an online pharmacy may offer the option of a medical consultation. A medical consultation is an online form that is completed by the customer and review by the online pharmacy's licensed physicians. Upon approval, the patient's prescription will be filled.