| Q1
– Why was PillBot created? |
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One only has to look at prescription drug pricing to
understand why PillBot was created. The goal of PillBot
is to assist users in finding the overall lowest prescription
drug price available within its database. PillBot presently
offers drug pricing for many of the top online pharmacies.
The PillBot Database will continue to grow as it adds
additional online pharmacies to its database. In the
future, PillBot Technology will be directed at medical
supply companies, vitamin and mineral supplement suppliers
and other healthcare related entities that offer a myriad
of products. One advantage of using PillBot is that
the user receives comparison-type shopping results within
seconds of submitting a prescription drug search request.
If a user were to open eight navigator windows to search
pricing for one prescription drug, such a search could
take hours depending on the users computer skills, Internet
connection and online pharmacy site information request
requirements. In some cases, users must disclose their
name, address, e-mail and other personal information
in order to receive prescription drug price quotes.
PillBot does not require its users to divulge any personal
information to receive prescription drug pricing...
it’s "FREE"! (Back)
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| Q2
- How can PillBot maintain its databases if PillBot technology
is forbidden access to a specific site? |
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At PillBot, the databases are also maintained by humans!
Yes, there are independent researchers, data entry staff
and editors that ensure PillBot database updates. PillBot
is presently seeking qualified individuals, who may
be interested in reviewing online pharmacy pricing and
content on behalf of PillBot.com! (Back)
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| Q3
– I searched for a Brand Name prescription drug and
received results, which included a list of Generic drugs.
Why is there such a difference in pricing between Generic
and Brand Name prescription drugs? |
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This is a question for the ages and PillBot cannot
offer a reasonable explanation for such dramatic pricing
swings between Generic and Brand Name drugs. However,
PillBot strives to include all Generic prescription
drugs within its Brand Name prescription drug database.
PillBot searches discloses the Brand Name and its Generic
counterpart for each search request. In some cases,
online pharmacies will not include all of the Generic
counterparts in their Brand Name drug pricing databases.
If you find we have excluded a well-known Generic which,
should be included under a specific Brand Name, please
send PillBot an e-mail so that we may process your request. (Back)
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| Q4
- How does PillBot retrieve comparison prescription drug
pricing? |
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PillBot developed a "patent pending" bot
software which is directed at online pharmacies. In
addition, PillBot editorial staff independently research
prices of online pharmacies. In some cases, online pharmacies
will voluntarily disclose their prescription drug database
with price updates to PillBot.com. (Back)
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| Q5
– What does P.P.U. mean? |
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P.P.U. means "Price Per Unit". Online pharmacies
do not presently offer a breakdown of the total prescription
drug price. PillBot takes the guesswork out of total
prescription drug pricing by calculating the P.P.U.
for its users. The PillBot program also breaks down
the P.P.U. for solutions, suspensions and liquids. In
addition, users may find that the larger the pill quantity,
the higher the price per unit and/or (P.P.U.). (Back)
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| Q6
– Does PillBot "bot" online pharmacies
in "real time"? |
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No, PillBot is a "friendly bot" and as such,
is not sent out to online pharmacy sites in "real
time". PillBot independently researches online
pharmacy sites on a daily basis. During daily pharmacy
site reviews, determinations are made as to whether
pricing structures have changed significantly. In addition,
it would be poor business practice to "bot"
any site in real time; as such an action would place
heavy user requirements on that sites server system.
(Back)
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| Q7 – Are prescription
prices on PillBot.com reliable? |
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In many instances, online pharmacies state that their
online drug prices are to be used as "examples"
only. PillBot only reports what it finds and does not
control what an online pharmacy will or will not charge
a consumer/user at point of sale. In addition, you should
also review the shipping policies of each online pharmacy.
The shipping price is not calculated in the overall
drug price and as such, can add as much as $11.95 in
additional charges when requesting overnight shipping. (Back)
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| Q8
– Does PillBot endorse any of the pharmacies listed
within its database? |
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PillBot offers no endorsement as to the reliability
or reputation of any online or off-line pharmacy. Advertisements
that appear on PillBot are strictly "paid for"
advertisements and are not to be interpreted as any
type endorsement of that advertiser. Pharmacies are
given an opportunity to advertise on PillBot.com. Advertising
revenues allow PillBot to bring this comparison shopping
experience to consumers for FREE! In addition, online
pharmacies are required to offer special discounts to
PillBot users such as; free two-day shipping and online
coupons. (Back)
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| Q9
– When I completed a search for a specific drug,
a comparison drug price displayed for only two online
pharmacies. Why did this happen? |
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PillBot may not have had access to retrieve results
for that specific drug request from all online pharmacies
for inclusion into the PillBot database. (Back)
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| Q10
- I'm really confused when it comes to interpreting abbreviations
when searching online pharmacies. Why is there is no set
standard for online pharmacies? |
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PillBot hopes to set an example, by setting a standard
for the online pharmacy industry. This is why PillBot
places a Legend on its search result page. One advantage
of researching online pharmacy prices at PillBot.com
is that we have built-in our own abbreviated standard
for each online pharmacy in our database. (Back)
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| Q11
- When I completed a search on PillBot.com, more than
one online pharmacy sold a prescription drug for the same
price. Why did this happen? |
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In some cases, online pharmacies may have two store
fronts on the Internet. Essentially, one company is
providing the back and/or front end for another online
pharmacy. If you see consistent duplicate pricing for
two pharmacies, it may mean that both are operated or
maintained by the same company. In other cases, pharmacies
are offering the drug at the same price and a tie has
taken place. In this case, only one pharmacy will appear
on the top line and received a top placement over its
competitor, due to the order in which the pharmacy information
was recorded originally in the PillBot database. As
for companies that operate duplicate online pharmacies,
you can still get value out of these duplicate sites
if their online content is varied and informative. (Back)
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| Q12
- How often do prices change at online pharmacies? |
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This depends on the competition! PillBot.com was developed
to keep the competition in check! With the advent of
PillBot.com, you can keep abreast of price changes in
up to eight online pharmacies at one time! When PillBot
is up, prices can only go down! (Back)
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| Q13
- I did a search for a brand name drug on PillBot and
another drug came up with the same name but, a lower price? |
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In some cases, online pharmacies will not place the
Generic counterpart name of a brand name drug in their
database. In other cases, it may be a pricing or drug
name error found in a specific online pharmacy drug
database. Remember, PillBot only reports what is publicly
disclosed at online pharmacies. (Back)
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| Q14
– I’m really upset that I found a prescription
drug that I’m taking is less expensive than my prescription
drug co-pay. Can I get a refund? |
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This is a matter that you should take up with your
HMO and/or insurance provider. Indeed, PillBot users
find that the purchase price of a drug may actually
be less than their $15.00 or $20.00 co-pay. Next time
you use your prescription drug plan, ask the pharmacist
for all available Generic brands and a breakdown of
the total prescription price. Leave nothing to chance!
If you’re hoping to change an industry gone awry,
the best way to help make a change is to "speak
out!" and let your feelings be known. (Back)
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