How Does an Online Pharmacy Work? A Beginner’s Guide

24 January, 2025  |  Brave Agency - Marketing

Pretty much everything can be done online nowadays. From ordering your weekly shop to buying a car, there's not much you can't do from the comfort of your own home - and thanks to online pharmacies, you don't even need to leave your house to pick up medication either.

Whether you're searching for dietary supplements or need specialised treatment for an ongoing condition, you can find whatever you need at an online pharmacy. Most of them offer a wide range of different medications, giving you the same options you'd expect to find in your local high street pharmacy. They're subject to the same stringent regulations too, supplying quality medication you can trust. The only real difference is that you'll be shopping from home.

Intrigued? If you're tempted to switch to an online pharmacy and want to learn more about what they offer and how they work, this is the blog for you. Below, we're going to delve into the benefits of choosing an online pharmacy, explain the process of selecting and ordering your medications, and tell you how to find an online pharmacy you can count on.

Why are online pharmacies becoming so popular?

First, let's look at the benefits of online pharmacies compared to their traditional high street counterparts. Why are so many people making the switch?

Convenience

What could be more convenient than ordering medication without having to leave the house? No need to keep in mind opening hours or work around your busy schedule - simply log into your account and place an order whenever (and wherever) you like.

It's the same reason why online shopping in general has become so popular. As our lives become increasingly hectic, with busy work and social schedules demanding our attention, the ease and convenience of buying goods over the internet starts to make a whole lot of sense. Simply put, there's no easier way to access the medication you need.

Speed and efficiency

Online pharmacies aren't just convenient and simple to use, they're extremely efficient too. Most popular online pharmacies offer 24-hour or 48-hour delivery as standard, meaning you won't have to wait long to receive your medication.

You won't have to worry about booking an appointment or attending an in-person consultation, either. Simply complete an online consultation form whenever suits you, hit submit and your pharmacist will recommend a treatment that's suitable for you.

Broad range of treatments

High street pharmacies can only carry a limited number of different treatment options and medications - there's only so much room on the shelves. Plus, certain medications aren't available on the NHS, restricting your pool of available treatments further.

Online pharmacies remove these barriers, offering you a far broader selection of medications. If you're looking for a specific treatment your local pharmacy doesn't keep in stock, you'll appreciate the sheer number of options available to you at an online pharmacy.

Confidential and discreet

Let's face it, in-person consultations can sometimes be uncomfortable. If you'd rather not talk about your health with a pharmacist face to face, you can avoid this entirely by switching to an online pharmacy.

You'll still need to go through a consultation process in order to access prescription medication, but you won't have to discuss your health in-person or over the phone - the entire consultation takes place online in a written format. 

Your order will even be delivered in unbranded, discreet packaging, ensuring the process remains entirely confidential from start to finish.

How does an online pharmacy work?

Step 1: Log in and find a treatment option

Once you've created an account, log in and select a treatment or medication. When prompted, hit 'Start Consultation'.

Step 2: Complete your consultation

Complete the online consultation form to tell our pharmacists about your health. Much like in a GP appointment, you'll be asked questions about your symptoms, other medications you're currently taking and any other ongoing health conditions.

Step 3: Place your order

Once a pharmacist has reviewed your answers and approved your prescription request, you'll be able to order your medication online in minutes. 

Step 4: Take delivery

Once you've placed your order, you can expect to receive your medication within 24 hours in most instances.

How to find an online pharmacy you can trust

If you want to make the switch to an online pharmacy, you need to find one you can trust. The first step is to check that your chosen retailer is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which means they're subject to the same rules and regulations as high street pharmacies.

All online pharmacies should have a licensed pharmacist named on their website too. If you still want to be sure you're shopping with a genuine pharmacy, check user reviews on platforms like Trustpilot to see what previous customers thought about their experience.

If you're ready to try out an online pharmacy for the first time, why not sign up with IQ Doctor today? Not only are we registered with the GPhC, we offer a wide range of quality treatments from NHS-approved suppliers and have an Excellent rating on Trustpilot. To get started, sign up for a free account today!