Online Pharmacies: What Are Their Pros and Cons?

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Imagine this- you are sick. There’s nobody to look after you. Your car’s broken down and you are desperately in need of some medicines. You order hot soup from Swiggy. Then, you wonder- “Why can’t I order my medicines as well?” Turns out, now you can. 

The digital pharma industry is still in its early stages. While there have been visible benefits of ordering medicines online, there exist a few drawbacks that need to be dealt with. Online pharmacies are certainly the way forward in ordering medicines, just that they need to get better. 

You just go to one of the leading online pharmacies in the country, Medlife, for great deals on medicines, buy them at the click of a button, and also save by using Medlife coupons. But, mind you, online pharmacies, being a relatively new concept, has its pros and cons (pros more than cons).

Pros and Cons of Online Pharmacies

Pros

• Online Pharmacies are convenient

There’s no doubt- online pharmacies make it easy to order medicines. All you need to do is go to the website, look for the medicine and order it. The patient doesn’t have to move an inch.

People who live far from the city, especially, benefit from this service. Elderly and disabled individuals can also avail this service to avoid travelling for their medicines. As an added bonus for these people, the shipping costs are much less compared to the money spent in fetching the medicines themselves. 

• Time-saving

As mentioned earlier, to order a medicine online, all you need to do is look for your medicine and press the buy-button. When it comes to pros and cons of online pharmacies, this point acts as a definitive pro for those who lead very busy lives. 

• In line with government policy

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The concept of online pharmacies, under the Digital India initiative (Jan Aushadhi Program), is backed by the Indian government. Which means, it is a very stable industry and a good option to invest into. 

• Lower prices

The prices of medicines at one of these online pharmacies are significantly less compared to conventional medical stores. Considering how most people are very money-minded, the prices become a major pro in favour of online pharmacies and negate most cons.

• Privacy

If you feel embarrassed or judged upon going into a medical store and buying condoms or contraceptives, order them online. Instead of purchasing tampons amidst judgmental eyes, you can have them delivered at your doorstep. 

I know, you shouldn’t be judged, in the first place, for buying them, but you have to agree that online pharmacies are the best option, for the time being.

• Option of choice

Sometimes, when you go to a traditional medical shop, the shopkeeper gives you an alternative medicine if the one you want is not available. That’s as good as asking your neighbour for it, except, your neighbour won’t expect money in return. Online pharmacies, with their large stocks, are much better at serving your medicinal needs. Point goes to pros in the pros v cons match of online pharmacies!

• Medical information

Certain online pharmacies have necessary medical information displayed on their website, just to keep people informed. Any ongoing medicinal research, discoveries, medicine laws or stigma about them can be found at such a place. This way, online pharmacies are not just delivering your medicines, they are also contributing to awareness about medicines. 

Cons

• Lack of physical consultation

While using online pharmacies, you miss out on the physical consultation. You might or might not have needed it. Even with a minor cold, a doctor’s consultation and proper diagnosis are necessary. If it’s a physical wound, then, x-rays have to be done. 

In the list of pros and cons of online pharmacies, this one is a big con. It shows the existing divide between the medical professionals and the online pharmacies. 

• Emergency cases

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Online pharmacies are very effective with your regular medicinal needs. But when you need some medicine urgently, I am afraid, online pharmacies can’t do anything about that. At best, online pharmacies can deliver your medicine the next day, which in some cases, might be too late. 

• Fake prescriptions

Certain online pharmacies, not all, don’t require a doctor’s prescription to supply your medicine. While this might seem like an ease-for-convenience, it’s actually a very dangerous notion. Without a proper prescription, no pharmacy should provide medicine. 

On the other hand, forging prescriptions is not the way either. Certain medicines, especially the addictive ones, should be allowed only if a valid prescription is shown. 

• Patients’ private information

Most online pharmacies don’t guarantee the confidentiality of patients’ data. Information like a patient’s medical history, his/ her allergies, or familial data can’t be made public or shared with any third parties. It is a major violation of patients’ privacy and faith. 

• Need to use the same online pharmacy every time

If you use a different online pharmacy every time you buy medicine, you will have to sign in again and again. You will be asked the same questions again and again. After a while, this becomes annoying. 

Why not rather have a local medical shop’s number who might even be willing to deliver the medicine? In case of chronic ailments, this is one of the troubling cons of online pharmacies, one that isn’t concealed by the pros.  

• The human touch

In case of conventional pharmacies, you can form a nice tempo with the shopkeeper. You can ask him for medical advice or share your symptoms. Such a shopkeeper will be mindful of your allergies, if you have any, while supplying the medicine. 

It’s like a restaurant knowing your food order and you only needing to call their number. This tempo is something that, I am afraid, online pharmacies might never manage to build with the patient.  

As you can see, online pharmacies have more pros than cons. Easy to conclude that online pharmacies is a way in the right direction. In fact, with the current state of the world we live in, this industry is only going to blossom further. So, order your medicines online, work from home, binge your favourite movies and TV shows and sit out this terrible year. 

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About the author

Devesh Gedam is a content marketing intern with competency in creative writing.