The role of pharmacies has always been an important role in the provision of health services. With around 90 percent of the UK population located within 20 minutes walking distance of the nearest pharmacy, they are the most frequented health care setting across the country. The flurry of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of their role in providing prompt and affordable healthcare.
In the wake of various safety measures, including lockdowns , and safe distancing were required to fight the spread of the pandemic The business operations has shifted to using technological solutions that require only minimal human interaction. Pharmacies were no exception. As more people became dependent on pharmacists for advice and advice on the spread of the virus brick-and-mortar pharmacies were struggling to manage the strain that was exacerbated due to the outbreak. Pharmacy chains across the UK were closed for a variety of hours during the entire day in order to guarantee proper management of their services. In addition, many closed because of the absence of funds. The closures affected disproportionately the population who live in the most depressed regions of the UK which further increased the health disparities affected to the pandemic.
A lot of people could not afford to go to their local pharmacy to get their prescriptions in a health crisis. The COVID-19 virus poses an extremely risk for populations at risk including people with immunocompromised or aging. In these populations that contract the virus, it can cause death. The people who are classified as non-vulnerable were prone to be concerned too – the long-term consequences from contracting this virus are unexplored and new signs or variants appeared to be appearing every week. Access to medications, particularly life-saving ones, was the main concern.
Many people have turned to websites to obtain their medications. Online pharmaceuticals, including Moda Pills, witnessed an 45 percent increase in volume of dispensing 2020. 42 million products were dispensable by online pharmacies in the year 2020, compared the 29 million products in the prior year. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies remain the most well-known type of dispensary services for medication with nine percent of 1.03 billion of items dispensing in 2020. It isn’t a denial of the growing popularity of online pharmaceuticals which witnessed an 1.5 times the increase in the volume of dispensing within a single year. Additionally the majority of people have indicated online pharmacies for their primary dispensing company in the context of electronic prescription services (EPS) when compared to a 22% rise in brick and mortar pharmacies.
Rapid growth in online pharmacies indicates a shift to technologically-friendly, more convenient solutions for healthcare. The dramatic increase in online pharmacy services was fueled by the shift in lifestyles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and these digital pharmaceutical services are likely to keep expanding , even after the disease is cured. Online pharmacies were growing rapidly before the onset of COVID-19 because technological advances offered a more efficient and easy way for customers to purchase and receive their medicine.
In addition to offering a faster and more efficient solution, digital pharmaceuticals also have the potential of reducing errors in medication. A total of two-thirds of errors in medication are committed every year in UK which result in hundreds of deaths and costing healthcare systems millions of dollars. Mistakes in medicine are committed in every step of the healthcare system, and dispensing services are the primary culprit, accounting for 16% of all errors. The aforementioned errors in medication are easily avoided through the development of technology including software automation logistics, micro fulfillment, which will determine the future of online pharmacy.
The ease of these online services can help ease the pressure off of a bloated healthcare system devastated by the epidemic. Patients who require repeated medication prescriptions might discover it easier to order online to have the medication delivered right to their doorstep. In the event of an issue with the supply of the neighborhood pharmacy, having an choice of a variety of online pharmacies to choose from significantly minimizes the chance of interruptions to the regimen of medication. For those who are vulnerable and cannot afford to go out in the open or have interruptions in their treatment routine buying prescription medication online can be life-saving.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous changes to our lives. Access to medications is a challenge due to locking downs and other measures to prevent distancing and many of the vulnerable populations not able to visit health professionals to get medicines. The entire system of healthcare including local pharmacies is under immense stress to handle the impact from the pandemic. The delay in accessing medication can cause death for many. In a period when prompt and proper treatment is important, online pharmacies are now a viable choice for patients who want to get the medication they require. Rapid growth in this business has been fueled by the pandemic, providing access and convenience to patients across the UK. With the shift to electronic commerce and the advancements in technology solutions online pharmacies have the potential to grow further and improve the health of our nation.