That’s it, e-commerce of medicines is authorized. From now on, you can buy a drug not reimbursed from among 4000 references. Only drugs not subject to compulsory medical prescription are concerned.
How to recognize authorized pharmacies
This online sale is accompanied by safeguards. In order to limit counterfeits, which unfortunately already exist, drugs authorized for sale are only sold in shops backed by physical pharmacies. To ensure the reliability of the e-pharmacy, the legally authorized sales list is available on the website of the Order of Pharmacists.
Pharmacists are of course registered with the National Order of Pharmacists.
Another condition for opening a drug sales site is that pharmacists must obtain authorization from the regional health agency on which they depend. After having obtained the agreement, they must inform the National Order of Pharmacists of the creation of the site, under penalty of sanctions (fine, closure of the site).
Pharmacies sites must be independent from the pharmaceutical industry (no link or subsidy).
Purchase conditions
The sale of medication is also accompanied by a questionnaire on the patient’s situation and state of health before the first order: age, weight, sex, current treatments, allergic history, pregnancy or breastfeeding must be completed.
Once the order has been placed, the pharmacist “personally ensures the delivery” and the preparation of the orders which must be done “within the pharmacy in a space suitable for this purpose”, according to the order published in the Official Journal on June 23 last.
Another obligation for the pharmacist is to inform and advise patients by email or chat.
When it comes to drugs, transparency takes precedence. They must be presented “in an objective, clear and not misleading manner”. Only the trade name, the therapeutic indication (s), the galenic form (sachets, tablets, capsules, etc.), the number of units and the price must appear. The online notices must be able to be printed on the sites.
Finally, no question of buying a stock of doliprane. Only one drug type box is allowed.
