The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an Online pharmacy
The internet has revolutionized the way the economy works. It has caused a massive shift in business processes across the globe. This is highly characterized by the high competition that is taking place between businesses. More and more organizations are starting to accept change and are actually adopting and putting up measures to incorporate the use of technology in their businesses. Clothes are now being sold online more than ever. This also goes for electronic devices, kitchen appliances, furniture, houses, etc. E-commerce websites are popping up every single day. Pharmacies have not been left behind. With everything going online, pharmaceutical businesses are trying to cash in on the new ‘trend’.
SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS AN E-PHARMACY?
An E-pharmacy is a pharmacy that operates over the internet by selling drugs and sending them to their customers. It can also be called an internet pharmacy or an online pharmacy. With the internet making everything easy, patients can now, by use of prescriptions, order for medicine via the internet and receive them as packages. An e-pharmacy facilitates this process by selling these drugs online. They are a massive hit and more and more people are opting to use them rather than taking a stroll down to their local pharmacy. The reason for this is because you can find all manner of drugs on e-pharmacies. Below are some of the drugs that can be found on an e-pharmacy:-
- Pain relief medicine
- Hair and skin care products
- Heart and blood pressure medication
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants, etc.
E-pharmacies however, are not all that good. They are online platforms and still can prove to be dangerous. They have both benefits and limits. Therefore, before using any e-pharmacy, you should weigh some of the advantages and disadvantages that they bring.
ADVANTAGES OF AN E-PHARMACY
- Convenient
E-pharmacies are convenient. They offer people with disabilities and really severe conditions that restrict movement convenience. They don’t have to leave their homes to visit local pharmacies for medication. They can log in to the internet, look for a legitimate e-pharmacy and then proceed to buy and order for their drugs. They also get unlimited access to professional healthcare givers any time of the day. If you live in a remote inaccessible area, this is a great advantage for you.
- Private and Confidential
Any information that you provide online is usually discreet. E-pharmacies guarantee your anonymity. This is particularly helpful to people who find it hard to speak face to face with doctors or pharmacists. It is also helpful to people who feel as if they have very ‘embarrassing’ or ‘shameful’ conditions such as erectile dysfunction, acne, STDs, hair loss, etc. They can order their products online without the shame of feeling judged.
- Range of choices
E-pharmacies offer a great variety of options. They usually have larger stocks of drugs than a physical pharmacy. Therefore, you are guaranteed to find whatever drug you are looking for easily. In case you do not find your preferred drug of choice, meds4sure.com provide you with related products for you to choose from. Also, there are so many e-pharmacy websites giving you the freedom to use any that you wish to.
- Time and Money Saving
You can save a lot of time and money by using an e-pharmacy. People with disabilities, senior citizens and those with busy schedules find this advantageous. In just a matter of minutes, you can log in to the internet, head over to an e-pharmacy website and buy any prescription medicine that you want. It takes less time and effort than traveling to your local pharmacy and having to wait in line for your medicine.
- Affordable
E-pharmacies have changed the value chain. There is no middlemen present and the pharmacies usually source the drugs directly from manufacturers. They also have fewer expenses and thus their drugs are considerably cheaper than those in local pharmacies. They also do offer discounted prices for any products purchased in bulk or popularly.
DISADVANTAGES OF AN E-PHARMACY
- Unlicensed Pharmacies
There is a high probability of dealing with an unlicensed pharmacy. The internet has paved way for so many great inventions but it has also created a loophole for some rogue criminals to exploit. Therefore, before even using an e-pharmacy, make sure it is a legitimate site. You can use pharmacy review sites to find out if the e-pharmacy you are using is FDA approved. A legitimate site usually asks for a doctor’s prescription before they can even process your order. Sites that offer to sell you drugs without a doctor’s prescription are unlicensed.
- Risk of Counterfeit Drugs
There is also a high probability of buying counterfeit drugs. With so many of these e-pharmacy sites being illegal, counterfeit and fake drugs are bound to make rounds. Fake drugs should not be taken lightly as their effects on the body can be potentially harmful. Try as much as possible to avoid foreign sites, they sell contaminated or outdated drugs at very attractive prices.
- Hidden Costs
Some sites may contain hidden costs such as shipping fees, ordering and processing fees, consultation fees, etc. Be sure to find out what costs are covered by the site and which ones are self-covered.
- Privacy not Guaranteed
Some of these online e-pharmacy sites are not legitimate. Some of them may ask for personal and financial information which they may end up selling. Some of the sites don’t have proper security measures and thus are prone to hackers.
- Late Delivery
Delivery for some of the drugs can take a few days. This can be unfortunate for you if you need your medication urgently. It is highly recommended that if you need medication urgently, visit your local health care provider or pharmacy to minimise risks of getting worse.
Conclusion
E-pharmacies are way convenient than the traditional physical pharmacies. The pros of using an e-pharmacy outweigh the cons. However, it is still necessary to ensure that you do find out whether the e-pharmacy site you are using is legitimate or not. It would be an unfortunate occurrence to lose a loved one for not taking extra precaution. A little safety goes a long way.