The popular “Gratis” drugstore chain in France is now selling the world’s No. 1 brand of pills, Viagra, on their websites for cheaper than the drugstore chains typically sell them for. This comes just a few weeks after the French retailer released several drugstore deals, offering discounts of up to 60% off of popular medications.
Could this be a sign that other pharmacies aren’t far behind?
Amazon And Viagra
E-commerce giant Amazon has been expanding into pharmacy operations as of late. As we’ve already mentioned, they’re currently one of the biggest players in the generic drug market. Could they be getting ready to enter the highly-competitive Viagra market?
Well, it certainly seems a bit too soon to be selling Viagra online. First of all, you have to get your distributor license in order to be able to sell pharmaceuticals. There’s also the matter of FDA approval which typically takes a while. Finally, you have to have enough stock on hand to deliver the medication to customers. So, it’s doubtful that Amazon will be entering the market soon.
On the other hand, this is exactly what the competition has been waiting for. As we’ve already pointed out, the French retailer Gratis has been selling the world’s most popular erectile dysfunction medication for significantly less money than usual. The catch is that they’re not allowed to sell it for that price, otherwise it would be considered “price fixation”, which is against the law in France (and many other countries as well).
So, even though it’s still early, we can be sure that Amazon is already thinking about entering the market. And with good reason. The pharmacy industry as a whole is becoming more and more automated. Most pharmacies don’t even need human dispensers anymore. The automatization of medication dispensing is expected to reach 95% by next year.
A Bigger Threat
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While the idea of automated pharmacies is incredibly appealing, there are a number of threats that could arise from this trend.
One of the most significant concerns is the risk of pharmaceutical fraud. After all, when machines are dispensing medications, there’s always the chance that someone could tamper with the prescription or alter the amount of medication being dispensed. That way, they could make a lot of money without having to actually buy all the medication. Pharma companies regularly get audited by the FDA and other regulatory agencies to ensure that their medications are being stored and handled safely. So, it’s crucial that there are people available to oversee these audits.
The Rise Of The Mega-Pharmacies
While small independent pharmacies can still be found throughout the United States, the world of pharmacies is changing. Mega-pharmacies are arising, which house multiple stores and have a large number of employees. These mega-pharmacies offer a variety of pharmaceuticals and provide reliable services to large numbers of people. For example, Shire, a leading group in the United Kingdom, has around 30,000 employees and owns over 340 pharmacies. They sell a variety of medications, including Viagra.
Could This Revolutionize How We Think About Pharmacies?
If you’re worried about the future of pharmacies, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Advertising Agencies, 72% of Americans believe that pharmaceuticals will become less essential in the coming years. In fact, the number of people who expect to get their medications without going to a doctor has more than doubled since 2014.
To be sure, not all of this is due to the rise of the internet. There have always been people who felt that they could get healthier versions of the medications that their doctors prescribed for them. But with the advent of the pharmacy revolution, this has become much easier, and there are a number of reputable online pharmacies where you can find virtually any medication that you could need. With the right identification, the right encryption, and a little bit of online sleuthing, you can get the medications you need in the correct dosage and at a good price too.
Final Takeaway
In closing, let’s not forget that even though Viagra has been around for more than half a century, it’s still considered a “modern miracle drug” that can help men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. When it comes to our health and the medications that maintain and enhance it, we should all be asking more questions, not fewer.