Internet technologies in the provision of pharmaceutical care

Abstract

Purpose: to study the use of Internet technologies in the provision of pharmaceutical care to the population and pharmacists' attitude to this problem. Material and Methods. Various interpretations of the term «Internet pharmacy» in the literature and regulations were studied by the method of content analysis, pharmacists' attitude to the online pharmacies was revealed by conducting surveys in Saratov and the Saratov region. Results. Current legislation restricts the remote drug sale, thus functioning of full-scale Internet pharmacies in the Russian Federation is not possible. Most pharmacists are not aware of the legitimacy of online pharmacies, legality of home and work delivery of drugs, purchased in the online pharmacy, and are not familiar with the existing documents regulating the activities of online pharmacies. Conclusion. The current situation with online pharmacies working in the Russian Federation produces difficulties in the control of online pharmacy activity and involves significant risks for consumers