Online pharmacies have become more common, accessible and better regulated in recent years.
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The different ways of getting ED drugs and treatment
Erectile dysfunction drugs have become increasingly available and more widely accessible. This allows more men to get the treatment they need when they encounter erectile dysfunction problems. However, the issue is still a sensitive one for many and so online options can provide a discreet way to seek help without having to attend a face-to-face appointment.
Like in the US, nearly all ED medications are prescription-only in Canada. You can get your treatment privately, online or in person.
As far as subsidised treatments go, ED isn’t usually covered by Canadian Medicare. Prescription drugs aren’t normally included in any government insurance plans, so talk to a doctor about the best options available to you.
On this page, we’ll discuss the various ways you can get ED drugs and treatment.
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How can I get Viagra in person?
If you want to get Viagra in person at a local pharmacy, you’ll first need to have an appointment with a doctor. During your consultation the doctor will be able to assess your condition and decide what ED treatment will be suitable for you. Once they write a prescription for your ED treatment you’ll be able to choose a pharmacy where you can pick up your medication in person.
There is also a generic version of Viagra, known as Sildenafil, which works in exactly the same way but is available in lower doses.
Do you need a prescription to get Viagra over the counter?
In the UK, you can now find Viagra over the counter (OTC) in high street pharmacies, sold as a brand called Viagra Connect. Once a person answers a questionnaire and a pharmacist agrees that this treatment could help them, then they’ll be able to buy it without a prescription.
Viagra Connect contains the same active ingredient, sildenafil, as the median dose of Viagra (50mg). So, in a sense, you can buy Viagra over the counter in the UK – it’s just called Viagra Connect and is issued as a pharmacy (P) medicine.
As it stands, Viagra and Cialis still require a prescription in all provinces and territories of Canada, so unless you’re exempt for any reason, you’ll need to pay for it.
According to the FDA in the US, dietary supplements that claim to enhance your sexual performance can contain undisclosed drugs that are often found in prescription-only ED drugs, sometimes in excessively high doses. For this reason, we recommend avoiding unlicensed ED alternatives and speaking to a doctor before starting any treatment.
Getting Viagra from Shoppers Drug Mart, Guardian and Pharmasave
Main-street chemists and pharmacies, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Guardian and Pharmasave should all stock ED medication. It’s become so widely accessible, in fact, that if you were to Google ‘Viagra near me’ you’d likely find a pharmacy close to you that stocks it.
However, if you want to get your Viagra in Shoppers Drug Mart (or any other popular ED medication like Cialis or Levitra) you won’t be able to unless you’ve been issued a prescription by a doctor.
Getting Viagra from Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, and other supermarkets
Several major supermarket chains in Canada offer pharmacy services in their stores. This means you could buy Viagra at Loblaws, Metro or Sobeys. But the process for doing so is the same as it is at a pharmacy, meaning you’ll need a prescription.
National Nutrition is a chain that sells health foods and supplements – it’s not a pharmacy registered to provide medication. Because of this, you can’t get Viagra or any other regulated ED medication in their stores.
However, you may be able to get ‘natural’ erectile dysfunction supplements which are anecdotally used to treat ED and libido, including a number of plant and root-based treatments. The evidence to suggest these kinds of products work is slim, and so it’s best to speak to a doctor if you’re considering using them to treat your ED.
Getting ED drugs with Canadian Medicare
Medicare is Canada’s publicly funded health care system. Rather than having one national plan, there are 13 provincial and territorial health care insurance plans. This system means all Canadian residents have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services without paying out-of-pocket.
Whether it’s branded medicines or their generic versions, ED treatments aren’t typically covered by goverbment insurance in Canada as they’re considered lifestyle drugs. This means getting subsidised help for your ED problem might not be easy.
Some plans could help to cover generic ED prescriptions – but only if these drugs are deemed medically necessary and are prescribed to treat other conditions besides ED.
What does the process involve?
If you think Medicare can help you with costs for ED treatment, you’ll need a health insurance card. To get the most up to date information on how Medicare can help you, contact your province or territory’s Ministry Of Health.
Where can you get your ED treatment online
Lots of ED treatments are available online from a number of regulated pharmacies, like us here at Treated. It’s important to ensure you source ED medication safely from a licensed provider.
If you’re getting your treatment online in Canada, pharmacies should have a licence granted from their provincial college. Websites such as GoGoMeds also include icons or badges to prove their legitimacy (such as being LegitScript certified) so you know you’re making secure purchases.
Some online retailers, particularly Amazon, are continually expanding their product lines and services. At the time of writing, Amazon Pharmacy is not available in Canada.
Online store Ebay is not a registered pharmacy, though it is possible to get general sales list items, like cough syrups, painkillers and supplements, just to name a few. But you can’t buy pharmacy medicines, renew prescriptions or purchase ED medication using their services.
Getting Viagra from online pharmacies
Online pharmacies have become more common, accessible and better regulated in recent years.
Legitimate online pharmacies have a licence granted from their provincial college, work with qualified prescribing staff and ensure medication is only issued where appropriate.
What does the process involve?
Firstly, you can expect to take some form of online consultation for ED. This might be a phone or video call, but more typically comes as an online questionnaire. You’ll be asked about your general health and ED symptoms, as well as any health conditions you may suffer with or medicines you take.
Once the ED questionnaire is complete, it’ll be reviewed by a healthcare professional who is registered to prescribe. Doctors need to be registered with your state’s medical board.
If the prescriber thinks ED treatment is safe and suitable, they may recommend treatment and write an e-prescription. The pharmacy will then dispense your medication and it’ll be shipped directly to you.
Buying ED drugs safely online
When you buy Viagra online in Canada, it’s important to ensure you’re doing it safely and within the law.
Though laws have adapted to better regulate the internet, and what you can purchase online, it’s still possible to buy potentially dangerous treatments for ED. To ensure you’re buying safely, and what you’re getting is the real deal, there are some checks you can perform:
- Registered pharmacy – online pharmacies can sell pharmacy medication if they have a licence granted by their provincial college.
- Registered prescribers – you can only buy prescription ED drugs online if you have a pre-existing prescription from your GP. Or the online seller works with healthcare professionals, who are registered as prescribers, to carry out online consultations. In Canada doctors need to be registered with the MCC (Medical Council of Canada).
- Legitimate online pharmacies and treatment providers will want to provide you with accurate information that is sourced well. It might be worth double checking the information on a reputable health source like Health Canada.
- Be wary if you’re on a website that offers discounts, ‘buy one get one free’ offers, phrases like ‘buy Viagra online cheap’ or otherwise illicit sales tactics to try and coax you into parting with your money could be a sign that they are not a legitimate seller.
- Lastly, if you’re ever unsure about anything online remember you can always speak to your own doctor or pharmacist instead.
Talk to us about ED treatment
You can also get Sildenafil and Viagra online right here at Treated.
We have clinicians on hand to guide you through getting your ED treatment. Answer some basic questions about your health and symptoms, which they’ll then review. You can subscribe to the best ED medication plan to suit you, which is inclusive of regular delivery and unlimited access to a clinician.
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STUDY ON NOCTURNAL PENILE TUMESCENCE (NPT) IN HEALTHY MALES STUDY ON AGE-RELATED CHANGES OF NPT. The Japanese Journal of Urology, 85(10), pp.1502–1510.
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