Online pharmacies have risen in popularity in the Philippines over the past few years, primarily due to evolving consumer demands made more apparent by the COVID-19 pandemic. While using an e-commerce model for selling pharmacy products online is not new, the pandemic has transformed online pharmacies from a mere convenience to a lifeline, especially for vulnerable populations. Even as the world slowly recovers from pandemic-driven disruptions, it’s clear that online drugstores are not going away soon.
But beyond the convenience of going on the internet to easily buy online medicine that you and your family need, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider online drugstores as an option for buying your needs. In this article, we will discuss the importance of buying pharmacy products online and why this offers more advantages than risks.
Provides Convenience
What's Inside
We all know the pain of going to a pharmacy and seeing a long queue snaking across the store. Online drugstores eliminate the need to go through all that by allowing you to search for your medicine, click “add to cart,” and pay in just minutes. Their delivery service and 24/7 accessibility also ensure that you can buy your medicines and other needs whenever and wherever you are in the country.
By having your pharmacy products delivered to your doorstep, you no longer have to commute or drive through heavy traffic just to get to the nearest drugstore. And as we all know, the pandemic is not yet over. Ordering your pharmaceutical needs online helps you avoid the risk of COVID-19 exposure and potentially transmitting the virus to your family.
In urban areas in the Philippines, going to a physical store has also been traditionally burdensome for seniors, persons with disabilities (PWDs), or those with limited mobility. The convenience of online pharmacies allows them to order supplies at home and not rely on others to buy their needs.
Offers a Wider Reach
Having access to medicines and other pharmacy products is a human right. However, there are people in some locations who don’t have access to nearby pharmacies. If they do, their nearest drugstores may not have all the products that they need. Online pharmacies resolve this problem by bringing their products directly to customers. By having a wider reach, online drugstores break the barriers to access and help more people easily purchase their necessities regardless of where they live.
Ensures Your Privacy
Another good thing about online pharmacies is the benefit of discreet services. Some customers may not be comfortable with requesting products such as treatments for weight loss, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and reproductive health at a physical store. The confidentiality of an online platform enables customers to get their necessities without the fear of strangers overhearing and judging them.
But the assurance of privacy does not stop with your discreet purchases. Reputable online retailers prioritize legal compliance and have provisions such as a comprehensive privacy policy to protect your personal and financial information, including your addresses and account numbers.
Provides Visibility on Product Information
If you constantly buy products at brick-and-mortar pharmacies, you must be aware of how the process of catering to customers can sometimes turn chaotic. In contrast, online pharmacies with an organized, easy-to-use interface allow you to find and select the items you need in just a few clicks. For prescription medications, the verification process is fairly straightforward. You only need to upload your identification and your doctor’s prescription, which a qualified pharmacist will then review.
Online drugstores also provide information about your medicine, including dosage requirements, availability, and price. Having this visibility on pertinent information allows you to price-compare and easily do research on your medicines online. This means that you no longer have to take too long at the pharmacy counter asking questions that can be answered through an updated database.
Allows Various Payment Methods
In this contemporary age, more people are opting for e-wallets and digital banks as alternative payment options for online and in-store purchases. Traditionally, pharmacies only allow cash or debit/credit card payments, although some drugstores are already updating their systems to accommodate e-wallets. Buying your needs through an online platform gives you sure access to other cashless options, which are safer for web-based payments because they eliminate the risk of exposing your primary savings or checking accounts.
An Alternative to Traditional Pharmacies
Online pharmacies help customers buy their necessities in the most convenient way possible. However, that does not mean that traditional pharmacies should become obsolete. Buying from online drugstores should serve as an alternative to what has traditionally been a burdensome process for other people.
Having another option besides buying in-store also empowers customers to make decisions on how to easily secure their needs. Ultimately, improving the accessibility of pharmacies is the key to encouraging people to care more about their health and free up time for other things that matter.
