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.