Sunday, December 16, 2012

Internet Pharmacy and the Legal Ramifications



With the explosion of the internet and more and more people using it to perform their everyday tasks, more and more pharmacies are choosing to take their pharmacy online.  There are two kinds of pharmacy website, a brochure site and an E commerce site.  A brochure website simply advertises the services the pharmacy provides and an E commerce site enables the pharmacy to sell medicines and other products through the website.

With more and more internet pharmacies popping up it has become apparent that many pharmacy owners are not fully aware of the legal framework that surrounds and governs the online trading of pharmacies


The basic legal issues that affect pharmacy websites are:

Internet Pharmacy

  • Web accessibility
  • Regulatory/compliance legislation
  • Data Protection  




Web accessibility – The Equality Act 2010 (EA) means that pharmacies have a legal requirement to provide a website that is accessible to disabled users and also that it is not “unreasonably difficult” for disabled people to use the service.  The EA applies to an internet pharmacy whether or not they are taking payments or not.  If you employ a website developer to design and build your internet pharmacy they will also need to be aware of EA and fulfill their obligations when it comes to building and maintaining your internet pharmacy.

There are a few things that pharmacy website developers can do to make sure the website is accessible, for example:
  • Text and images can be increased in size, background colours can be changed and contrast levels should be high enough to assist visually impaired customers.
  • The website can be fully utilised through a keyboard as well as a mouse for customers with motor or visual impairments or others who may not have good hand-eye co-ordination.
  • Any video/podcasts have captions/sign language versions to assist customers with hearing difficulties. 
By adhering to the points mentioned above when the website is being developed you will be able to minimise the need for further changes and development expenses at a later date.  It is very important that you have a discussion with your website developer about the steps you can take to make your website accessible and your developer should definitely be familiar with the Web Accessibility Initiative as well as the EA.  Your internet pharmacy developer should ideally be able to recommend features to you that will help with accessibility compliance.

All pharmacy owners who are planning on having an internet pharmacy developed should be clear on the fact that there are some very important legal issues that they need to be aware of before they employ any website developer to create or update their internet pharmacy.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Pharmacy E Commerce for Your Online Pharmacy

As a pharmacy owner moving from a simple brochure website to an e-commerce website you will be required to pay careful attention to detail.  There will be additional issues that you will face regarding advertising and selling online.  In order to comply with the E-Commerce Regulations there are a number of pieces of information that need to be provided in a clear and comprehensible manner before any order can be placed through the website.  Below are some of the key pieces of information that have to be displayed on all English pharmacy websites that sell online.

- The fact that the online pharmacy subscribes to a code of conduct (the Code of Conduct for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians) and information on how the Code may be accessed electronically;

- The different technical steps that need to be followed to conclude a contract;

- A description of the technical means by which the customer can identify and correct input errors before he places an order; and

- The languages offered for the conclusion of the contract.

Once a customer has placed an order on a pharmacy e commerce website, without delay the pharmacy must send the customer an acknowledgment of receipt and also provide the customer with the opportunity to correct any input errors they may have made.  An online pharmacy that does not comply with this requirement runs the risk of allowing their customer to terminate the contract.  In order to comply with the Distance Selling Regulations an online pharmacy well need to provide their customers with the following information in a clear manner:

- The identity of the online pharmacy and, if payment is required in advance, the pharmacy’s address;

- A notice that the customer has the right to cancel the contract without cause for seven working days following the day of delivery, other than in exceptional cases; and

- The geographical address of the place of business of the supplier to which the customer may address any complaints.

Transparency is extremely important for those providing an online pharmacy and the following information must be made available to all patients of an online pharmacy:

- The name of the person(s) or the legal entity that is the owner of the pharmacy;

- The pharmacy’s physical address at which the business is conducted

- Where applicable, the name of the superintendent pharmacist;

- Information as to how patients can confirm the online pharmacy’s registration with the RPSGB; and

- Details of how the patient may make a complaint about the online services provided.

All patients should expect the same level of service from an online pharmacy as they would from your traditional bricks and mortar pharmacy and the same level of advice should be available both online and in a bricks and mortar store.  Sufficient information must be gathered about the patient and their condition so they can be assessed correctly and if their circumstances dictate they need a face to face consultation this should be advised.

A good web developer will be able to help you with all the points mentioned above for Pharmacy E Commerce.  You should make sure you question them about their services to make sure you will be compliant.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Internet Pharmacy Software for Online Pharmacy


Website development is probably the most important aspect of any website as the development stage is where all the coding and programming happen, to make the website function correctly.  A good web developer will be aware of what it is possible to offer a specific business in terms of their website.  When it comes to pharmacy websites the web developer must have a good knowledge of internet pharmacy software.

Internet pharmacy software enhances the ability of pharmacists to carry out their duties to a higher standard.  It gives pharmacy staff access to a vast amount of information that is available on the internet.  The software also helps to facilitate communication, from email to internet based messaging systems and allows pharmacy staff and pharmacists to keep in contact within their own organisation.

The pharmacy business is particularly competitive and pharmacies should always aim to provide the best products and services to their customers.  Internet pharmacy software keeps the pharmacy running smoothly and efficiently and can help to increase the prescription fill rate, save time and costs for both customer and pharmacy and provides useful information on drugs.

Running an Internet pharmacy can translate to huge profits if done the right way. Ensure that you are following all the rules and guidelines, structure your business correctly, and advertise away. Sooner that you know, you'll have a stream of steady profits coming your way.

Buying pharmacy software nowadays is much easier with the internet as you can just browse online.  You can research features and functions and compare with other types of software.  Choose internet pharmacy software that is user friendly and contains all the features and functions you will need to enhance your pharmacy and make transactions faster and more efficient.  signetsolutions.co.uk is a company who provide quality internet pharmacy software, visit their website signetsolutions.co.uk to find out more about the services they have to offer.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Online Pharmacy solution for your business


The massive increase in people using the internet for many of their shopping and day to day needs has led to many pharmacies having a website built, where they offer numerous services which can help you avoid making unnecessary trips to your local pharmacy. 

We all need to visit our local pharmacy at some point, whether it is for a repeat prescription or just to buy some pain relief.  Heading out to your local pharmacy to pickup these items can be annoying at any time of year as you may be busy or your pharmacy may be inconveniently located.  With the rise of online pharmacies there are many services available to you online that can save you time and the inconvenience of having to travel to the pharmacy itself.

Many online pharmacies operate outside of the law and you must make sure you are using the services of a pharmacy that is both safe and legal.  There are a few ways to make sure you are dealing with a reputable pharmacy.  The pharmacy must require a prescription before they dispense any non over the counter medication.  They should not advertise or offer to sell any narcotics or controlled substances as it is illegal to sell products of this kind.  The pharmacy should also offer a full range of prescription pharmaceuticals and not just the best sellers.  Make sure the pharmacy is fully licensed.  They should have their licensing number clearly displayed on their website.  You can ask for this and verify it with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Any questions you have about the medications you require should be answered by the pharmacist.  If they cannot answer your questions to your satisfaction it may be worth choosing a different online pharmacy.

SigNET Solutions is a joint initiative between Haarty Hanks Ltd, a digital marketing company and Sigma, one of the largest licensed wholesalers and distributors of pharmaceuticals in the UK.  SigNET offer solutions to pharmacies wishing to have an online presence.  If you are an owner of a pharmacy and wish to move forward in this digital age I would highly recommend them.  Visit their website to find out more www.signetsolutions.co.uk

Friday, April 20, 2012

Website design and services for your online pharmacy business

We all need to pay a visit to a pharmacy at some time in our lives.  Some of us need to visit our local pharmacy on a regular basis to pick up repeat prescriptions.  Heading out to pick up prescriptions, allergy relief, slimming aids or pain relief can be annoying whatever the time of year, especially if you have to take time out of your busy schedule to visit your nearest pharmacy which may be inconveniently located.

There are hundreds of online pharmacies on the internet and unfortunately many of these pharmacies operate outside the law. By following these 5 steps you will be able to find an internet pharmacy that is both safe and legal.

  • The pharmacy must require a prescription – A prescription is the most basic link in the medical chain of responsibility from doctor to patient to pharmacy.
  • The pharmacy must ask for a prescription history – Without this information the online pharmacy has no way of checking for inappropriate prescribing.
  • The pharmacy should not advertise or offer to sell any narcotics or controlled substances.  It is illegal to sell or ship products of this kind.
  • The pharmacy should offer a full range of prescription pharmaceuticals. Many pharmacies only offer the best sellers such as Viagra.  These pharmacies are only interested in your wallet, not your health.
  • Choose a fully licensed online pharmacy.  Licensed pharmacies will have their licensing number displayed on their website.  You can ask for it and verify it with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

If you have any questions about the medications you are ordering, the pharmacist at your online pharmacy should be able to answer them for you.  If they cannot answer your queries to your satisfaction you may want to choose a different online pharmacy.

SigNET Solutions is a joint initiative between Haarty Hanks Ltd, a website design and marketing company and Sigma, one of the largest licensed wholesalers and distributors of pharmaceuticals in the UK.  SigNET offer solutions to pharmacies wishing to have an online presence.  If you are an owner of a pharmacy and wish to put your pharmacy online I would highly recommend them.  Visit their website to find out more www.signetsolutions.co.uk.