Concerns About an Online Pharmacy

Increasing online trade and mail order trade are contributing factors to the growth of the global pharmacy market. The online marketplace offers convenience, ease of use, and the ability to obtain medications from a remote location. However, the market is also a target for fraud. Inaccuracies, inconsistencies in advertising, and the possibility of delivery of different products are some of the concerns. In addition, these pharmacies can be used to fish for consumer data. The lack of transparency regarding the pricing and rebates for these medications are some of the issues that have been raised.

There are several different types of online pharmacies. Some provide free or discounted prescription drugs, while others charge a fee. A few offer automatic refills. Some provide 24-hour customer service. A few offer free or cheap shipping, while others do not. The geographical distribution of online pharmacies is heterogeneous. Some online pharmacies are located in the United States, while others are overseas. This explains why it is difficult to estimate the revenue generated by an online pharmacy.

Various studies have investigated the characteristics of online pharmacies. These articles evaluate the presence of e-commerce services, assess whether these pharmacies sell prescription medicines, and describe the types of pharmacies that are available. Some articles focus on the evaluation of community pharmacy websites in Switzerland, while others are more focused on the evaluation of pharmacy websites in Turkey. The following table lists the main features that were examined.

The most common concern about online pharmacies is insufficient information about a patient's health. Insufficient information is a primary concern because it could lead to inappropriate self-diagnosis, improper self-treatment, and inappropriate medication management. Many online pharmacies do not provide accurate information on the side effects of medications, and the absence of this information can reduce consumers' awareness of risks.

Another common concern is that an online pharmacy may not deliver the products that were ordered. This is because many online pharmacies are not licensed by the state boards of pharmacy in the U.S. Consequently, they are not regulated. This can lead to inaccuracies and delays in receiving medications.

The presence of counterfeit drugs is also a concern. These drugs require a valid prescription from a licensed health care professional. Some online pharmacies sell these drugs without a prescription, and these drugs can have harmful or irreversible effects. Therefore, it is important for doctors to check the legitimacy of these drugs.

Several studies have compared the prices of online pharmacies with retail stores. The results of these studies reveal that online pharmacies often sell cheaper generic medicines than retail pharmacies. Some pharmacies even offer free shipping or a discount for purchases.

A third study, conducted by Cicero and colleagues, found that the prices for the drugs offered by these pharmacies were higher than those at retail stores. A fourth, conducted by Tsai and colleagues, compared the prices of medications sold by US-based online pharmacies and those sold by US retail pharmacies. Interestingly, this study did not include international pharmacies, although many online pharmacies do deliver internationally.