Why Online sales of medicine are increasing in 2011

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The rise in the online pharmacy has been dramatic over recent years, with more and more online chemists opening up.

online pharmacy offer a quick, convenient and good value way for customers to get hold of medicines and other products. As a result of this sales of online medicines have seen an increase.

With more and more consumers turning to the internet to buy a wide variety of goods from holidays to televisions, it was only a matter of time before the internet became a source of medication and pharmacy products. However, it is concerning that, as the internet is not easily regulated, there are many websites offering medication that are not legitimate and whose products do not comply with UK rules and regulations regarding the sale of medicines. It is therefore important that consumers are made aware of the potential pitfalls of buying medicines online.

This is not to say that medicines cannot be obtained safely and securely from the internet, in addition to the many fake sites on the internet, there are also a number of legitimate UK-based online pharmacies who comply with all the necessary UK rules and regulations that have been put in place to keep patients safe. With a large number of consumers now purchasing medicinal products online, it is essential that they are able to spot whether the website that they are buying from is legitimate or not and there are simple checks that consumers can make to ensure that they are not buying from an unregulated source.
These steps involve checking that the website has a registered pharmacy number, which can be checked with the General Pharmacy Council, as well as checking that there is a registered pharmacist attached to the website who can be easily contacted by phone and who will check and approve orders before they are dispatched. It is also important to note that a legitimate online pharmacist will not dispense prescription only medicines, without having first seen the original prescription. This is to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct medicines, in the correct quantities for their condition.

Online chemists are also a convenient way to buy products that consumers may be too embarrassed to walk into a shop and purchase. For instance, weight loss products, hair loss products and even Chlamydia tests can all be bought safely and securely from online pharmacies. The products will then be delivered direct to the customer’s door in plain packaging, making the purchase both convenient and discreet. In the case of products such as Chlamydia tests, the treatment (if needed) can also be purchased safely from a UK-based online chemist, after just a quick telephone conversation with the pharmacist.
Many online pharmacies also offer next day delivery, meaning that the medication that you need will be delivered to you quickly and efficiently, with little hassle. This also provides a useful option for those with mobility issues, as they do not have to worry about how they are going to travel to the pharmacy to collect their medicines. Instead, it will be delivered to the address of their choice at their own convenience.

With such a wide range of products available at competitive prices, it is no wonder that consumers are turning to the internet to purchase medicines. Furthermore, with just a few simple checks, medication can be delivered safely and securely to the consumer, at their own convenience, making the online drug store an essential tool for the British shopper, with online medicine sales looking set to continue to rise in the future.

About the author

Wendy Atkin

Chemist.net is a leading UK internet pharmacy and is Royal Pharmaceutical Society registered. Always offering thousands of top brand medicines and supplying exceptional value for vitamins, health supplements, skincare, beauty, baby, sexual health and mobility products at superb prices. Trust and use for repeat orders of Ensure, Fortisip, Bio-Oil, glucosamine and Omega-3. Chemist.net provides fast, discrete shipping with DHL with great service.

By Wendy Atkin