New Report Claims Online Pharmacy Risks Being Left Behind

A new white paper on the future of online pharmacy claims that the sector is lagging behind when it comes to implementing technology.

The paper says that the past 12 months has seen significant growth in the uptake of innovative hub and spoke models for traditional “bricks and mortar” pharmacies but this hasn’t been mirrored at the same rate in online pharmacies. This is surprising in many ways, not least because online pharmacies are better placed to embrace hub technology compared to high street pharmacies.

“Over the last 12 months we have seen forward thinking community pharmacies investing in technology and becoming early adopters of hub and spoke ahead of the proposed legislation changes we expect to see later this year,” explains Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director of Centred Solutions the company who produced the white paper.

“But when we look at online pharmacy it is a completely different story. With the exception of a couple of the larger online pharmacy players, there has not yet been the same appetite for original pack dispensing technology in this market. That surprises me because most online pharmacies are already using a hub workflow, they normally have more space for automation than a traditional pharmacy store and they are doing the volumes to warrant the investment,” he added.

The white paper points out that despite exponential growth in patients opting to receive their medication from an online pharmacy, the sector risks finding itself quickly needing to play catch up if businesses don’t start exploring technology options now.

According to the white paper, pharmacy automation could also help address some of the patient safety concerns that have dogged some of those working in online pharmacy, particularly when it comes to governance – one of the common themes sighted by GPhC for fitness to practice cases.

It points out that technology is available today that ensures a prescription is visible and recorded at every stage of the pharmacy dispensing process, right down to individual patient  pack level. This it states, leaves no room for ambiguity and with software providing real time visibility of all this data which can be shared with regulatory bodies. The paper goes on to state that implementing technology can minimise the risk of human error, helping narrow the gaps for a continuous, safer and more traceable workflow.

“When we look at the growth of online pharmacy, it is only going to get more competitive. In addition, with the emergence of new hub and spoke models across community pharmacy gathering pace and with secondary legislation due later this year, online pharmacy could also see renewed competition from the bricks and mortar pharmacy sector as well as existing online competitors.” said Mr O’Hanlon.

“To remain at the top of their game these businesses need to start considering how they set themselves apart from the rest of the market, allowing them to dispense an ever-increasing number of items safely. To do this they need to look at how they work smarter and faster while keeping overheads to a minimum. It is important for online pharmacies to now get one step ahead if they are to future-proof their business,” he said.

A copy of the white paper: “Discover the Future of Online Pharmacy. How to keep ahead in an increasingly competitive market” can be accessed at www.centredsolutions.co.uk