THE MAJORITY OF people questioned in a recent survey said they would support a change in law to enable people to purchase medicines online.
While 69% said they would order their medicine online if the option were available.
The strongest support came from the 45-55 year olds – with 81% in favour of change, while 55% of people of aged 55 said they would buy their medicines online.
The survey of 1,000 people was commissioned by Lloyd’s Online Doctor and carried out by Amárach Research.
It comes as an EU ‘kite-mark’ certification for online purchasing of medicines came into effect on July 1.
Women were more in favour of a change in the law, with 77% saying they wanted to be able to buy medicines online.
Men weren’t too far behind- with 69% of them in favour of the change.
Pharmacists
Three out of four adults say they consult their pharmacist for medical advice – with almost four out of five saying they believe that pharmacists should be given a greater role in providing health care services to patients.
The majority (76%) of people questioned believe that giving pharmacists a greater role will both reduce costs to the State and allow GPs more time to deal with patients with complex conditions.
Stephen Bourke, General Manager of Lloyds Online Doctor Ireland, said, “Pharmacists are highly skilled professionals who we believe can play a greater role in community healthcare, working in partnership with doctors and nurses.
We believe that by giving pharmacists a greater role we can expand our services and give patients more options.
However, he added,”Not all conditions can be treated through online medicine or in-pharmacy nor should they be.”
What’s next?
Online pharmacy is currently growing across Europe and authorities are moving to ensure the service is regulated properly.
A new measure by the European Medicine Agency introducing the EU’s first ‘kite-mark’ logo for online pharmacy took effect on 1 July.
It aims to help identify authorised online pharmacies providing authentic medicines.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority recorded a 20% increase in the amount of counterfeit and illegal medicines seized in 2013.
Stephen Bourke acknowledged this problem, he said:
Online pharmacy is already a reality, with no shortage of such pharmacies happy to ship to Ireland. However, they are illegal and unregulated, presenting a risk to patient safety.
He added, “Proper regulation of the sector, including adoption of the EU kite-mark logo for online pharmacy, would guarantee that the highest standards of safety and efficacy for patients are upheld while ensuring that consumers enjoy the benefits and convenience of online medicine.
We only have to look to the North to see where a properly regulated service can thrive, increasing competition and patient choice without compromising safety.
Lloyds Online Doctor says it’s looking for expressions of interest from pharmacies across Ireland who are “interested in participating in a pilot programme to improve access to in-pharmacy healthcare services”.
The pilot programme includes proposals to allow doctors to send a patients’ prescription to their preferred pharmacist, who would then facilitate the delivery of their medication directly to their home or place of work.
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