Introduction: With the growth of online businesses, online pharmacies have also emerged. In Iran, the online sale of drugs is prohibited according to the guidelines of the Food and Drug Organization. However, the spread of COVID-19 and the increasing need for patients to visit pharmacies highlight the potential benefits of online services in helping to contain the virus. This research aimed to determine the laws, regulations, and challenges associated with providing online pharmacy services in Iran.
Methods: This study is a content analysis review. We performed an extensive review of literature to find relative articles in both English and Persian databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Magiran, and SID using keywords such as “Online Pharmacy,” “Legislation,” “e-pharmacy,” and “Iran” from 2003 to April 14, 2023. Data extraction involved a detailed appraisal of each study and identification of relevant interventions by two authors independently. Any disagreements were resolved through joint discussions between the authors.
Results: Out of 68 articles reviewed, 12 addressed the challenges and regulations of online pharmacies. The findings revealed that online pharmacies face several challenges, including licensing, privacy, customer interaction, drug supply and delivery, competition with physical pharmacies, customer trust and satisfaction, counterfeit drugs, quality assurance, service, and payment processes.
Conclusion: For online pharmacies, maintaining a secure infrastructure—such as a website or mobile app, secure online transactions, robust data management systems, and cybersecurity measures—is crucial to protect customer information. Additionally, online pharmacies must obtain the necessary permits and comply with data protection and privacy laws.