I can see Avery's points. All good and I have reflected on them myself.
I have PMed many of you info about the online pharmacy I deal with. To save me from repeat typing here's some general info I can share. I do not believe I can mention the name of the pharmacy as this would violate PERB terms of use.
The advantage of going to a walk-in clinic, or your own FP, is you can fill the script ASAP. The disadvantages will likely be the wait time, either to see the walk-in doc or your FP. Your own FP is more likely than the walk-in doc to give you the quantity you want. Also, some may prefer the privacy of dealing online.
I personally find the inconvenience of seeing a doc to get this stuff is a real bummer. ED pills are usually OTC outside Europe and North America. It's like buying an anti-histamine, or aspirin. IMHO, Viagra should be OTC. It's likely safer than antihistamines (don't operate heavy equipment) or ASA (gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke risk). IMHO, forcing men to get a script for ED pills is a health profession racket and the govt would save money by de-listing it from script status.
The Canadian Border Services Agency is working hard to intercept these, but can't get it all. When I place my order, I put a note in my Blackberry to follow-up in three weeks. If the order does not arrive I send an email that it didn't arrive and the pharmacy politely acknowledges this and just re-sends it, free of charge (gives you an idea of the profit margins on these). So delivery time can be very long.........stock up! In the interim, you can go to a walk-in clinic.
Some online pharmacies have quit shipping to Canada as they are tired of the intercepts. My pharmacy is still OK with it.
Yes, the supply chain is murky for all online medications. Recently, a very reputable (and local) online pharmacist with a reputation for integrity, got his good name besmirched in the national news media when cleaning solution was found in some medications he had shipped. In the interest of balanced reporting, I thought I should mention this case.
I use the generic pills and find they work well (gawd, I'm cheap!), although brand name may re-assure many. No problem with credit card fraud with my Indian pharmacy.
I have not received any threatening letters from CBSA......yet. There is a certain irony about the application of the law here. To have sent you a letter, it means CBSA intercepted the shipment and you did not receive it. So you broke no law (unauthorized importation of a controlled substance) in that instance. When you get the shipment (which is sent discretely), it means CBSA doesn't know you imported the stuff, and it has no info to act on.
In Canada, pharmacists and physicians can legally import from these online pharmacies by providing their credentials to CBSA.
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...and, now a word about sharing the fact you use Viagra.
One word:
Don't! (OK. That's two words contracted)
This applies mostly to your relations with non-SPs. The shit you can get in to! One girlfriend counted my pills whenever she could get a chance. ("I just want to know if you're cheating"). If your SO knows you are using this stuff, she may think you are not in love with her and/or not aroused by her anymore, and this stresses your relationship. Even SPs may think you are a little less manly if they find out you are getting help. They may say: "You don't need Viagra, do you?".
Older (mostly) sexually-inactive guys who have started using ED pills have been known to leave their wives and start playing around. They missed the sexual revolution and suddenly have a 19 year-old cock! They want to use it!
Keep it a secret, and when your performance suddenly improves just say: "I'm getting healthier" or "I have been working out".
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Your own personal medications and ED.
You guys are getting older, and may be taking a lot of pills yourselves for different conditions. BP pills, sleeping pills, most anti-depressants (these REALLY kill your sex life! You can't even orgasm!), anti-histamines (colds, allergies) will keep you from getting really hard, and even Viagra 100 mg may not be good enough to correct the ED without adjusting/deleting your personal meds as well.
Hope this helps!
Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would take a chance on online pharmaceuticals, especially a drug that works by affecting blood pressure. There's a good chance you're going to be a victim of credit card fraud or identity theft. Either that, or you're going to receive a generic product from some third world country that has very lax standards or none at all. Why take a risk like that with something you're going to ingest? You're spending $200+ for an hour of a lady's company, and yet you're trying to save $10 or less per pill while taking a huge risk.
Go to a local clinic and get a prescription for the real thing. Spend the extra few bucks and enjoy the ladies.