Frequently Asked Questions

eDrugSearch launched in 2007 as a prescription drug price comparison engine for Americans who want safe, low-cost medication from Canadian and international online pharmacies. We bring pharmacies that pass our listing checks together in one easy-to-use price comparison database so you can see who has the best price on your prescription before you buy.

eDrugSearch is not a pharmacy. We don’t sell medications. We help you compare prices and pharmacy details so you can make your own informed choice.

You can start for free, and there are two ways to use eDrugSearch.

• Free account: browse drug price ranges and pharmacy profiles, write pharmacy reviews, save pharmacies, set up to 2 price alerts, and read our guides.
• Paid membership: see which pharmacy has each price, visit pharmacies directly, get unlimited price-drop alerts (refill reminders coming soon), and use our AI assistant. Member is $14.95 a month or $135 a year. Family is $19.95 a month or $179 a year for up to 4 people.

Pharmacies don’t pay to be listed, and nothing they do affects their ranking or reviews. Compare plans.

From paid memberships. Pharmacies don’t pay to be listed, and nothing a pharmacy does affects its rating, its reviews or where it appears. We don’t use affiliate links.

eDrugSearch turns 20 on January 1, 2027. For our 20th anniversary we rebuilt the site so every price shows the date we checked it, every check is kept on record, pharmacies are listed free, and U.S. options are shown first whenever they cost less.

Yes, when you buy from a licensed pharmacy and know what to look for. Before ordering, make sure the pharmacy:

• Holds a current, valid pharmacy license and shows its license details on its website.
• Lists a real physical address and reliable contact information.
• Has a licensed pharmacist who reviews orders.
• Requires a valid prescription from your doctor.
• Does not sell controlled substances.
• Has a clear privacy policy that protects your personal and payment information.

Every pharmacy we list is certified by CIPA or by another online-pharmacy accreditation program we accept, is rated 4.0 stars or higher on an independent review site, and has no safety blockers, such as an FDA import alert. See our pharmacy safety requirements.

The easiest way is to start with eDrugSearch. We only list pharmacies that pass our listing checks, and each profile shows what we found about its license, with sources. If you look on your own, use the same checklist above: a valid license, a real address, a licensed pharmacist, a prescription requirement, no controlled substances and a solid privacy policy. Learn how we check licenses.

Buy only from a properly licensed pharmacy that requires a prescription and meets our safety requirements. Be wary of sites that sell without a prescription, offer controlled substances, or have prices that seem too good to be true. Each pharmacy profile on eDrugSearch shows what we could and couldn’t confirm about its license, with dates and sources.

Federal law generally doesn’t allow individuals to import prescription drugs, but under its personal importation policy the FDA has long used enforcement discretion for some personal-use shipments, generally no more than a three-month supply. Congress has also declared in federal law that enforcement against individuals should focus on imports that pose a significant threat to public health. To stay on the safe side, order only from a licensed pharmacy, use a valid prescription from your doctor, keep your order to a 90-day supply, and never order controlled substances. See the FDA’s personal importation guidance, or read our plain-English guide to buying prescription drugs from Canada.

Starting January 20, 2027, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require many international mail packages, including those regulated by other federal agencies such as the FDA, to go through a new electronic entry process called Entry Type 13, or a formal entry. Current mail procedures stay the same until then, and CBP has also proposed extending the new process to most other international mail. The change doesn’t explicitly ban personal prescription orders, but packages may be processed differently, so plan refills early and talk to your doctor or pharmacist so you don’t run short. Read our guide to the 2027 customs changes.

Yes. Every pharmacy listed on eDrugSearch requires a valid prescription from your doctor before it will fill your order. A pharmacy that doesn’t ask for a prescription may be putting you at risk.

Most pharmacies accept your prescription by fax, by mail, or as a scanned copy by email or upload. Some can also contact your doctor’s office to request it for you. Once the pharmacy receives and verifies your prescription, it fills and ships your order. Delivery times vary by pharmacy and shipping method, so ask the pharmacy for its estimate.

If you’re reordering from the same pharmacy, contact them and they’ll look up your account. They may need a new or refilled prescription, and many can request it from your doctor for you. If you switch to a new pharmacy, you’ll create a new account and send your prescription again. Ordering a 90-day supply can lower your cost per dose and means fewer reorders.

Yes. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist about decisions that affect your health, including where you fill your prescriptions.

Brand-name drug prices in the United States are among the highest in the world. Many other countries, including Canada, regulate or negotiate what drug makers can charge. Licensed pharmacies in those countries can often sell the same brand-name medications for far less, which is why brand-name prices at licensed pharmacies abroad are often 50% to 90% lower than U.S. list prices. For example, we found brand Jardiance 10 mg for $97 for 90 tablets vs. a $1,050 U.S. list price (checked Oct 23, 2026).

It depends on the drug. For many brand-name drugs, a licensed pharmacy in Canada or another country costs far less than a U.S. pharmacy. For drugs with a U.S. generic, a low-cost U.S. pharmacy or a drug maker’s cash program can be cheaper than ordering from abroad. Each drug page on eDrugSearch compares both, with the date each price was checked.

Yes. New U.S. generics, drug makers’ own cash programs and low-cost U.S. pharmacies sometimes beat prices abroad. For example, generic dapagliflozin (Farxiga) was $14 for 90 tablets at Amazon Pharmacy with Prime, far less than brand Farxiga from abroad (checked Oct 24, 2026). When that happens, we show the U.S. option first. We don’t get paid for these listings.

We take each price from the pharmacy’s own website for the exact drug, strength and pack size, show the date we checked it, and keep a permanent record of every check. Prices can change after that date, so always confirm the final price, including shipping, with the pharmacy before you order. If you find a wrong price, email support@edrugsearch.com and we’ll correct it.

Most U.S. insurance plans don’t cover medications filled by pharmacies outside the United States, so you’ll usually pay out of pocket. eDrugSearch is especially helpful if you’re uninsured, underinsured or have a high deductible. Many pharmacies can give you an itemized receipt to submit to your insurance company, but whether you’re reimbursed is up to your plan, so check with your insurer first.

Listing is free. Every pharmacy is checked against our listing rules before it appears in our results: certification by CIPA or another accreditation program we accept, a rating of 4.0 stars or higher on an independent review site, and no safety blockers. Contact us to get started.