How to help patients navigate online pharmacies safely

In this article:

• Pros of online pharmacies
• Cons of online pharmacies
• How to guide patients
• The bottom line

In this article

• Pros of online pharmacies
• Cons of online pharmacies
• How to guide patients
• The bottom line

In today’s technology-driven era, people can do almost anything online, and ordering medications is no exception. According to an article in the Frontiers in Pharmacology, there has been significant growth in the online sale of medications in recent years. Patients are drawn to online pharmacies for their accessibility, convenience, and purported discounts. 

An online pharmacy is a business that prepares and sells prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs through a website or mobile app and delivers medications directly to patients. Despite their popularity, there are potential risks to shopping online for medication. Pharmacists can help patients navigate their pharmacy options safely. 

The pros of online pharmacies

There are several reasons why patients may be drawn to online pharmacies. 

• Discounts: Online pharmacies often advertise better deals on medications than brick-and-mortar pharmacies—touting generics at a cost that is less than the average insurance copay of $12. However, to take advantage of the low prices, sometimes patients must pay a membership fee or high shipping rates, which cuts into savings.
• Convenience: Patients can have their medications prepared, paid for, and delivered without leaving their homes—or waiting in line at the pharmacy. This is especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or who live in remote areas. 
• Privacy: When buying medication with a potential social stigma, patients may be more comfortable ordering online rather than in person, such as abortion medications or sexual performance medications, like Viagra. 

The cons of online pharmacies

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the majority of online pharmacies have risks associated with their use. Here are some common drawbacks to explain to patients considering virtual pharmacies. 

• Unsafe medications: The NABP found that 95% of websites selling prescription drugs operate illegally, with over 40,000 online pharmacies failing to meet safety standards. The FDA has warned that many unsafe pharmacies offer discounted medications, sometimes without a prescription, using fake storefronts to mislead patients. These drugs may be untested for quality and safety, and some websites even sell counterfeit medications.
• Lack of medical advice: Unlike brick-and-mortar pharmacies, online pharmacies may lack a pharmacist for consultations, which is dangerous for patients with high-risk conditions who are more prone to side effects or those on multiple medications with the potential for drug interactions. 
• Long shipping times: Online pharmacy deliveries can take time. Some, like Amazon Pharmacy, deliver in two days. Others, like Honeybee Health, may take up to 10 days. Expedited shipping may be available for an extra fee, but it can make prescriptions more expensive than at local pharmacies.
• Limited stock: Not all online pharmacies offer a full range of medications; for example, Honeybee Health doesn’t carry insulin. This can be inconvenient for patients on multiple prescriptions, making it harder to track refills and maintain adherence.

How to guide patients interested in online pharmacies

If your patients are thinking of transferring their prescriptions to an online pharmacy, you can offer expert advice—and help them avoid illegal online pharmacies.

Offer alternatives

If price is the main factor, explain savings options at the local pharmacy. For example, one study found that patients can save millions of dollars by buying prescription drugs through pharmacy discount programs rather than through insurance programs. You can also help them access coupons for their medications. It takes seconds to get a free SingleCare prescription discount card that can help them save up to 80% on the cost of brand-name and generic medications. 

If convenience or privacy are issues, explain local delivery options. There might be a simpler solution than switching online.

Provide guidance on safe options

You can help patients identify reputable online pharmacies. According to the FDA, safe online pharmacies: 

• Always require a healthcare provider’s prescription
• Provides a physical address and telephone number in the United States
• Have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer questions
• Are licensed with a state board of pharmacy

The FDA’s BeSafeRx website has a search tool for verifying a pharmacy’s license in the state’s Board of Pharmacy database. If the online pharmacy’s license isn’t listed, it isn’t considered safe and should not be used. 

Offer warning signs of unsafe pharmacies

Pharmacists can also relay warning signs of an unsafe online pharmacy to patients. These pharmacies:

• Do not require a healthcare provider’s prescription
• Are not licensed in the U.S., or by their state board of pharmacy
• Do not have a licensed pharmacist on staff
• Send out medications that look different, are expired, or don’t have an expiration listed
• Deliver medications in broken or damaged packaging
• Offer significant discounts that seem too good to be true
• Charge for products that weren’t ordered or received
• Do not give clear written protections for personal and financial information

Reiterate to patients the importance of finding a reputable online pharmacy. You can explain the risks of purchasing drugs from illegal pharmacies, such as taking drugs that contain too little or too much of the active ingredient, contain a different active ingredient, or contain the wrong ingredients or other harmful substances. This could lead to failure in treating medical conditions, drug interactions, serious side effects, or other serious health problems. These websites may also steal personal or financial information. 

The bottom line

As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists can provide patients with insight into online pharmacies. You can discuss the pros and cons of using an online pharmacy, and explain how while the prices seem lower, it’s not always worth the risk. If your patients opt for this route, you can share how to find reputable online pharmacies.