Pharmacies are joining the online shopping revolution by using their websites to sell their products and services, writes FIONA REDDAN
WITH MORE and more of us logging on all the time to purchase everything from groceries to computer parts, it’s no surprise that e-commerce is also hitting the pharmacy sector.
So, the next time you’re sick, you can log on and do your purchases, rather than leave home to go to the chemist. But what can you buy, is it cheaper and what are the regulations guiding online pharmacy sales?
What products are most commonly purchased online?
Unsurprisingly, it is products which can be perceived as embarrassing to buy in a pharmacy which are some of the most popular. Inhealth.ie, for example, has a specific “embarrassing” section on its web page, where you can buy products ranging from intimate hygiene supplies to condoms and lubricants, and hair-loss supplements and shampoos.
Similarly, on Sam MacCauley’s site, there is an “embarrassing conditions” location, where you can buy head-lice shampoo or products to relieve cystitis or bladder weakness. To protect your privacy, inhealth.ie promises to deliver all of its orders in discreet plain parcels with no company advertising or logos.
Can I see a doctor online?
It is now possible to get prescriptions online on drthom.ie. The website, which is run by three London-based doctors who are registered with the Irish Medical Council, allows you to fill in an online questionnaire, which is then assessed by one of the doctors. For €30, they will respond to you via e-mail, and post out a prescription to you if required, which you can fill in your local pharmacy. The website is most suitable for asthma patients, men suffering from erectile dysfunction, or women looking for contraception who need a repeat prescription. However, medical practitioner groups have warned that face-to-face consultations are crucial for a proper diagnosis.
Can I get my prescription filled online?
In short, no. While you may be able to actually get a prescription online, you won’t be able to get it filled from the comfort of your own home. Under Irish law, the sale of prescription-only medicines by mail order is prohibited, and this prohibition includes internet supplies of prescription-only medicines. Moreover, the sale of other medicinal products, such as paracetamol, cough medicine or antihistamines, is also illegal by post in Ireland.
However, under EU legislation it is possible to sell such products online in Ireland, but many of the online pharmacies tend not to do so. If you do purchase painkillers online, the usual restrictions will apply.
Can I shop on international websites?
As mentioned, it is illegal to get a prescription filled online in Ireland, but it may be possible to purchase from a legitimate online pharmacy in the US, for example. However, if you do so, your order may be seized by customs. According to Darragh O’Loughlin, president of the Irish Pharmacy Union, most of the products purchased in this manner tend to be for ailments that people might be self-conscious about, such as erectile dysfunction, slimming issues or anxiety. However, doing so could put you at risk of buying counterfeit drugs.
“You have no way of knowing that you’re buying from a legitimate website,” he says, pointing out that the sale of counterfeit prescription medicines can be as lucrative for criminals as trade in illegal drugs.
But if you’re willing to take the risk, you could stock up on products like low-cost vitamins from international websites.
Is it cheaper?
As with many products, buying online can save you money – as long as you are aware how much the product usually costs and factor in delivery costs. But there are savings to be made. For example, on Sam MacCauley you can purchase a two-pack Clearblue pregnancy test for just €12.79, while on inhealth.ie you can get 20 pregnancy strip tests for just €12.99. And there are frequent special offers. On carapharmacy.com, you can buy Gillette Mach 3 blades for €5.99, rather than the usual €10.99.
How much is delivery and how long does it take?
If you’re lying on your sickbed, laptop at hand, getting your order delivered quickly may be of paramount concern. So you will be pleased to learn that many online shopping portals offer next-day delivery.
At McCabes, for example, you will pay €6.50 for next-day delivery, although you can get free shipping on orders valued at over €50.
Similarly, inhealth.ie charges €4.99 for delivery within 24 hours, although some products might qualify for free shipping. Sam McCauley’s delivery fees depend on the weight of the parcel, and range from €5.25 to €18.25. A better option therefore is to opt for a courier delivery, which costs a flat €5.50 fee.
Similarly, it offers free delivery on orders worth more than €50, but its delivery time is longer, at three to six days.
Could I do some Christmas shopping?
If you’re in the market for a bit of Christmas shopping, you will find a variety of cosmetic gifts and perfumes available.
On weedlepharmacy.ie, for example, you can buy cult French skincare product, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, for €30.50, as well as a range of products from brands such as Clarins and Lancome. On carapharmacy.com, there are plenty of perfumes to choose from, including Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Eau So Fresh and Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession.
Can I buy products online that I can’t find in the shops?
In some cases, you may find products online which are otherwise hard to come by. A particular online niche is in fertility products, with Irish websites offering a wide range of predictive and diagnostic tests. For example, you can buy everything from saliva ovulation testers and fertility monitors to female fertility tests and fertility candles online.
Male fertility tests are also popular, as they allow a man to test his fertility at home before consulting a doctor. On inhealth.ie, you can buy a variety which test both sperm count and motility.
And, if you’re heading off on a sun holiday outside of the summer months, it can be difficult sometimes to find suncream, but these are available online. Sam McCauley, for example, offers a wide range of brands.
Are there any other websites to look out for?
If you’re a fan of daily deal sites, such as Groupon or LivingSocial, you might also find that they meet your health needs. The sites work on the basis that significant discounts can be offered when purchased by a certain number of people.
A recent offer for example, was a dental check-up for just €9, while other offers include an eye test and €50 to spend on prescription glasses for just €20; teeth whitening for €155 instead of €650; €25 for a sports massage; €650 for two porcelain crowns (50 per cent discount); or €99 for five hypnotherapy weight-loss sessions.
