3 business models and websites to consider

You may assume that the idea of ​​selling prescription drugs online is risky because it requires you to:

• Compliance with government regulations.
• Creating a trusted online environment.
• Strict control of the legitimacy of medical needs and, therefore, of the sale of medicines.
• Possibility to accept electronic prescriptions.

This model works best for you if your business is for patients with common medical needs. Scheduled delivery of prescribed medications is a great help for clients receiving long-term treatment or managing chronic illnesses and eliminates the stress of timely, critical replacements for a health condition. Personally, I see this opportunity as an evolution of the pharmacy business as it takes patient care to a new level.

In this case, no product catalog is required. The user’s route to implement it on the website is developed as follows: a user registers on the website, sends the payment details and the necessary medical records (medical insurance number, doctor’s information). As an online pharmacy, you always need an original prescription to avoid reusing it, so offer it to users by mail or deliver it in person. Alternatively, and in a more convenient way for your clients, you can install electronic prescription software to receive and process electronic prescriptions directly from physicians.

Technically, customers do not place orders – your team processes the prescription and chooses a brand and drug manufacturer based on the user’s health insurance and available stock. A schedule for recurring delivery is then established.

From the experience of ScienceSoft, I guess this model is best suited for niche pharmacies with a fairly limited selection of drugs. It involves users registering and submitting medical data as a first step. During the next visit and after processing and approving their records, they only access the selection of medications and their prescribed amount for their illness. This reliably prevents misuse or overuse of medications.

With over-the-counter medications, you can apply a standard e-commerce implementation model that allows for proper management of a product catalog, promotions, payment, payment, and orders. When you sell over-the-counter pills online, you do not need to impose strict control over the validity of the prescription. However, do not shy away from any responsibility for the use of medications: excessive or incorrect medication can cause adverse effects and endanger health. I recommend the following measures to protect the health of your customers:

• Give the most complete description of the medicine on the website: directions and precautions, ingredients, instructions for use, possible side effects.
• Limit the amount of medicine to order.

On a single website, you have to separate two travel scenarios from users: to buy over-the-counter items and to order prescription drugs. Your e-commerce solution should include:

• Product catalog with items available to all users: over-the-counter medications, wellness and beauty items, household and pet items.
• Integration with an electronic prescription solution to manage prescription medication.
• A personalized personal account where users can track and refill over-the-counter and over-the-counter sales orders.