Grading System — How We Rate Drugs, Supplements and Pharmacies
We rate each article and product so you can make smarter choices fast. Our grading system is a simple letter and score mix that balances safety, evidence, cost, and real-world reliability. That means when you see an A or a 4.5/5 next to a drug or pharmacy review, you know it passed clear checks — not just hype.
What we check and why
We ask five direct questions for every review: is it backed by clinical evidence, is it approved or regulated, what are the known side effects, how does price compare to alternatives, and do users report real satisfaction? Each question gets points. Safety and evidence weigh heavier than cost or convenience because a cheap drug isn’t useful if it’s unsafe.
How grades are calculated
Scores run from 0 to 100 and convert to letters (A, B, C, D, F). A = 85–100, B = 70–84, C = 55–69, D = 40–54, F < 40. We also use half-steps for nuance (A-, B+). The numeric score comes from sub-scores: safety 35%, evidence 30%, effectiveness 15%, affordability 10%, reliability 10%. User reports and official study outcomes both feed into these sub-scores.
If a pharmacy review lists a high grade, we checked licensing, shipping records, and verified customer feedback. For medication guides, a top grade means strong trial data, clear dosing, and manageable side effects. For alternatives or supplements, a good grade signals at least moderate clinical support plus consistent user experience.
Grades are a snapshot, not medical advice. They don’t replace a doctor’s judgment. New research can change a grade quickly — we re-evaluate articles when solid new studies or regulatory updates appear. Also, individual reactions vary; a highly graded drug can still cause problems for some people.
Use grades to shortlist options before talking to a clinician. Compare similar items by their safety and evidence scores first. If you’re exploring online pharmacies, prioritize reliability and licensing over the lowest price.
If you spot outdated info or have a firsthand report about a pharmacy or drug, send it through our contact page. We verify submissions and update grades when justified. Your real experience helps others make safer choices.
Browse this tag to see graded reviews across medications, alternatives, and online pharmacies. The grade is a tool — one more layer of clarity to help you pick safer, smarter options.
Read the grade breakdown to see why a score landed where it did. We show the five sub-scores as percentages and a short note. For example, a medication might be Safety 90, Evidence 80, Effectiveness 70, Affordability 50, Reliability 60 — overall 79 (B). That tells you it’s generally safe and well-studied but pricey or inconsistent from sellers. We also add quick flags: 'Prescription required,' 'Possible serious side effects,' or 'Unverified seller.' Those flags explain risks that a single number can’t capture.
Check 'last reviewed' dates, and contact us if you want a re-check — we respond to credible reports quickly. Thanks for helping keep information honest.
