Getting everything online became very popular during the pandemic. One of the benefits COVID-19 brought us. It saves time, and energy and provides a wider range of items to order. Have you ever felt like your life would be much easier if you could avoid going to the pharmacy? I know I have especially when I am sick. Of course, it is possible to obtain medicines and supplements online but there are some guidelines and pieces of advice on how you can do it while feeling safe.
Is the online drugstore safe?
If it is registered as an official online medicine retailer within their national regulatory authority, it is.
Where and how can you buy medicines online in Europe?
I live in Europe, so let’s see what the official European sources say about online pharmacies.
European Medicines Agency (EMA) states that buying medicines online is possible. However, they advise you to do it with caution.
- Special logo
- Use only registered online pharmacies
- Check out the official list of these pharmacies
How can you recognize the logo?
European Commission designed a recognizable logo that every registered retailer should have. The logo was presented during a press release in 2014.
It is colored gray and green with the country’s national flag where the pharmacy is registered on the left side. Make sure you click on the click to confirm the country and registered retailer.
Important: The logo showing the EU flag is not legal.
Source: https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/eu-logo-online-sale-medicines_en
Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health, said:
“When buying medicines online, consumers must be aware that unless they buy from legally-operating online medicine suppliers, they run the risk of buying medicines that are falsified. Falsified medicines can be ineffective, harmful, or even deadly. The Commission has established a common logo for online pharmacies so consumers can stay safe.”
What are the risks of buying medicines online?
Like with everything else, there are some risks of buying medicines online.
Learn about the most common ones:
Buying online medicines in Balkan countries
If you are from Croatia, you can find more information on legal online retailers on the European Medicines Agency. Specifically for Croatia, you will find Halmed to be a legal and trustworthy source of information for patients, the public, and the industry.
In other countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, official agencies are in charge of medicine control. However, it is not regulated like in the countries of the European Union so it is not safe to buy medicines online even though some pharmacies offer this option.
Buying online medicines in the USA
There are many online pharmacies in the USA, but not all are safe like in Europe. There aren’t some specific logos that might help you recognize registered online retailers but official sources recommend the following:
- Check if the pharmacy provided a physical address and telephone number in the USA.
- Make sure you require a prescription.
- A good sign is also when they have a pharmacist, who can help you with your order.
- Check if the pharmacy is licensed in the state’s Board of Pharmacy license database by using the location tool on the FDA’s BeSafeRx website.
Is Amazon pharmacy in Europe?
We are all familiar with Amazon and their very accessible service. While researching if Amazon pharmacy has arrived in Europe, I stumbled upon articles talking about this happening however it hasn’t so far. Currently, Amazon pharmacies are available only in the USA.
Even though Amazon has some amazing benefits like fast and reliable delivery, buying medicines online through checked sources is better for guaranteeing your safety.
What is the future of online pharmacies in Europe?
There is a lot of space for the growth of online pharmacies, and this was confirmed during a press release in Brussels in February 2024.
They have agreed upon a few recommendations:
- Encourage update of laws to allow online access to prescription medicines.
- Raise awareness and improve accessibility of medicines online.
- Remove current regulatory problems to help the digital expansion of online pharmacies.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. The next time you’re feeling under the weather, remember that buying medicines online can be as easy as ordering a pizza – just without the cheesy crust and extra toppings. If you have had some experience with risks, delivery, or anything else related to online pharmacies, please share!
Literature:
European Medicines Agency. (n.d.). Buying medicines online. Buying medicines online | European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health-threats/falsified-medicines-overview/buying-medicines-online#look-out-for-the-logo-10476