Dear PharmacyCheckers,

I have seen, first-hand, the impact on patients due to rising medication costs. As a former community pharmacist in Massachusetts, my patients wouldn’t hesitate in expressing their shock at outrageous costs. I’d often hear a “Why do my meds cost so much?!” or “I’m certain I paid less for this last month.” Sadly, there wasn’t much I could do to help these patients. Some would reluctantly break their budgets to continue on with their drug therapy, while a heartbreaking majority would assure me they would be back with the money… and never return.

I am joining PharmacyChecker because it is my hope that I can lessen the number of these stressful situations for patients. I desire for patients to focus on getting better and staying healthy instead of worrying about how they will afford their medications. Throughout my pharmacy career, patient safety has always been the primary focus, and I relish the opportunity to bring that focus to PharmacyChecker. My priorities are identifying, through verification, the safest international online pharmacies, making sure you are buying the lowest cost medications at local pharmacies when possible, answering your questions on Ask PharmacyChecker, and advocating for patients who can’t afford medications.

PharmacyChecker has strict standards in place that are similar to the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Standards (VIPPS) of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to help ensure public safety when medications are purchased over the internet. The NABP has taken the position that international online pharmacies that sell to patients in the U.S. are not eligible to become VIPPS members due to federal prohibition on importation of lower-cost medications. It is PharmacyChecker’s position that patients, healthcare providers, and the public at large should know which international online pharmacies are reliable and affordable – and I’m proud to be part of that mission.

I’m thrilled to join the PharmacyChecker team. Please feel free to ask me anything at Ask PharmacyChecker. I know consumers often have medication-related questions, and it is my pleasure to provide folks with answers paired with insight regarding prescription drug savings.

Best regards,

Dr. Patel

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Dr. Shivam Patel provides expert knowledge regarding safe pharmacy practice, quality assurance, drug safety, and patient access to affordable medication. He is a registered pharmacist in Massachusetts and has experience in the community and hospital pharmacy settings. Dr. Patel has worked at Brigham and Women’s hospital, Partners Healthcare, CVS Health, and Stallergenes Greer as the Senior Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Associate where he was responsible for quality review, analysis, preparation, and completion of labeling, narrative and submission reports of serious adverse events (SAEs) in order to meet regulatory requirements compliant with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Patel received a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies from Northeastern University. Dr. Patel was a Professional Pharmacy Practice Laboratory Instructor at Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy.

Read more about Dr. Patel in our latest press release: PharmacyChecker Boosts Focus on Serving Patient Community