Online pharmacies are gaining too much popularity due to the heavy discounts they offer on medications either they are prescribed medicines or non-prescribed.

The advent of the internet has had a profound effect on how we live. From how we communicate, to work, to source information, to shop, and to pay, the internet has left its mark on virtually every aspect of our lives. We can see why it has had such an impact on how we buy medicines and go to the doctor.

The convenience of online store for the purchase of medicines has made it possible for us to compare prices and buy prescription drugs from our homes. However, online shopping for medicines has some disadvantages too. Some online pharmacies may sell drugs that are unsafe to consume or are illegal, for example. While some online drug dealers do not follow legal business procedures in selling prescription drugs, others may even abuse your personal information. 

You should be aware of the following about online medical stores so that you don't regret clicking the "buy" button: 

Are online medicine stores legal?

The legality of online pharmacies in different countries is based on the country of origin. While some countries have legalized the sale of medicines through online pharmacies, they are illegal in others. As per the regulations of the countries in which online pharmacies are permitted, they are authorized in some jurisdictions, but not in others. Some countries have regulated online pharmacies as pharmacies, while others have supervised the administration of drugs. 

In India, online pharmacies are self-regulated. However, some of the legal regulations related to online sales of prescription drugs are governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the E-Pharmacy Draft, 2018. Indian online pharmacies are also members of the Indian Internet Pharmacies Association (IIPA), now known as Digital Health Platforms (DHP). 

In India, legal online pharmacy must follow following rules: 

• They don’t sell medicines without doctor’s prescription. 
• They don’t allow to sell Schedule X drugs. 
• They need to provide proper invoice of every sale. 
• They need to pack medicines in a tamper proof cover in the supervision of registered pharmacist. 

How to identify an illegal online medicine store?

More and more people are turning to online purchasing of medication, as the number of fake doctors and fake pharmacies increases rapidly. It is critical for you to identify best online medicine site that sell drugs with a prescription, authorised medications and counterfeits, in order to keep your personal data secure. 

To determine whether an online pharmacy is legally authorized to dispense medications, you may do the following: 

• Check the registration number of the online medicine store and cross-check it at the website of the regulatory body. 
• Check whether the online medicine store ask for the prescription before dispatching the medicines. If not avoid using those stores. 
• Search on the internet for any complaints lodged against any specific online medicine store. 

Advantages of buying medicines from online medicine store

1. You can save money on medicine.

The prices of medicines in India are rapidly rising. Because of this, many people are unable to purchase the entire medication course prescribed by their doctor. Here, online pharmacies can function as salvation. Medicine prices are reduced in online pharmacies, allowing you to obtain the full course of treatment without exceeding your budget. You only have to show your prescription to receive your medicines at your home. 

2. You can purchase medications from your home.

You can easily buy your medicines online since the app is available on your mobile phone. You can also order all of your medications using the app, eliminating the need to visit a pharmacy. Senior citizens and those with limited strength or mobility may also benefit from ordering their
medicines from online pharmacies. 

3. You can learn more about your medications

You can also check for some basic information about online pharmacies while ordering medicines. If your doctor has prescribed medicines for which you don't know much about, you can get the answers from an online pharmacy. You may also learn more about a certain drug from a licensed pharmacist associated with an online pharmacy.