Concerns over the quality of drugs sold over the Internet have been raised. It is often difficult to objectively analyse the quality of online services. In a study analysing the websites selling medicines over the Internet, some websites appeared to supply prescription-only medicines with no prescription. They concluded that only a minority of e-pharmacies displayed quality accreditation seals. They also observed information published on e-pharmacy web sites that potentially undermines the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Moreover, concerns on the professional standard have also been raised.

There have also been cases where cyber pharmacies indulged in malpractice, claiming infrastructure that they never had.

Bessell TL, Silagy CA, Anderson JN, Hiller JE, Sansom LN. Quality of global e-pharmacies: can we safeguard consumers? Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002 Dec;58(9):567-72

Harrington K. Legal Implications of the Practice of Medicine over the Internet Telemedicine and Cybermedicine Cyberlaw Nov. 10, 1999

Appelhanz C. Stovall: Internet isn’t a drug store, Topeka Capital Journal, Jun. 10, 1999