Amazon Poised to Disrupt EU Pharmaceutical Market, Sparking Concern in Spain
Brussels, Belgium - A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (TJUE) is clearing the path for large-scale online medicine sales within the EU, potentially spearheaded by e-commerce giant Amazon, and raising concerns among Spanish pharmacies about competition and patient safety. The judgment, delivered on February 29, 2024, clarifies that services connecting pharmacies with customers electronically qualify as “Information Society Services,” preventing member states from enacting blanket prohibitions.
Currently, European regulations governing pharmaceuticals are strict, but experts warn that the electronic commerce of medicines remains vulnerable to fraud.The potential entry of a company with Amazon’s logistical capabilities into the EU pharmaceutical market isn’t solely feared for price competition, but also for the potential erosion of the conventional pharmacist-patient relationship and the risk of counterfeit or substandard medications.
The anticipated model would see Amazon acting as an intermediary platform,channeling orders to authorized pharmacies rather than directly dispensing medication – a system already in place in countries like Germany and the Netherlands. However, maintaining control over dispensation and professional standards presents a significant challenge for Spain.
In response,Spanish pharmacies are accelerating their own digital transformations,implementing electronic prescriptions,pharmaceutical teleconsultations,and personalized dosing systems to enhance patient care while preserving the human element.
The question remains whether Amazon will fundamentally redefine pharmaceutical dispensing and care across Europe, and specifically, within Spain.
