E-commerce and its effects
March 12, 2012
The advent of
e-commerce has
facilitated the
supply of goods and services with
little limitation and medicines are
no exception.
Consumers now have
immediate access to
pharmaceuticals, often from
international sources and without
pharmacist consultation (or even
a prescription!).
This may represent a clear
danger to public health and to
traditional pharmacy profits!
Who can compete with a webbased,
automated, low cost,
24hour global service?
From a consumers view point
this trend allows the ultimate in
convenience and value,
particularly for remote areas.
However, presently drugs
bought overseas are subject only
to customs checks but many are
packaged to avoid even this
barrier.
Furthermore, there are a vast
number of counterfeit and
substandard medicines available
so safety is clearly an issue.
The National Medicines Policy
states that the safe use of
medicines requires “...monitoring
outcomes and minimising misuse”
– virtually impossible online!
In May 2011 the Pharmacy Guild
released a submission to the
government in an effort to regulate
this practice because it maintains
that “the ideal way to supply
medicines is...face to face contact.”
In the meantime it may be up to
pharmacists and the medical
profession as a whole to increase
public awareness of the potential
pitfalls of online shopping for
medications.
It may be cheaper to buy shoes
and pharmaceuticals online, but
you are unlikely to die based on
receiving the wrong shoe!
This week’s contributor is
Paul Rowe, Chief
Executive of
Razor Group of
Companies
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 Mar 12To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 12 Mar 12
