MANILA, June 30 — For many Filipino families, getting a prescription refilled can be a hassle. But a recent experience by Ratish Sharma, who ordered his blood pressure medication Telma 40 through a popular quick-commerce app, shows just how easy — and how concerning — the process has become. Sharma realised he was out of his medicine and turned to a delivery app.
A message appeared that an in-house doctor would call to verify the order, and that he should keep his prescription handy. He didn’t have one.
When the call came, the ‘doctor’ asked a few basic questions — his age, how long he had been taking the medicine. Within seconds, the order was approved. Less than 10 minutes later, a strip of Telma 40 arrived at his doorstep.
On paper, the platform followed its process. But the experience raises a larger question: Are these checks sufficient for medicines that legally require a prescription?
If someone without hypertension were to answer those questions convincingly, could they obtain a prescription-only medicine just as easily? Could a brief verification call replace a doctor’s assessment of a patient’s medical history, kidney function, current medications and whether the drug is appropriate in the first place? These questions are becoming increasingly relevant as quick-commerce platforms expand beyond groceries into healthcare.
The convenience they offer is undeniable, especially for elderly patients, people with chronic illnesses and those who may find it difficult to visit a pharmacy. But leading doctors say that while medicines should become easier to access, one cannot bypass prescription safeguards. Times Now Digital spoke to physicians and internal medicine specialists about the risks of buying prescription medicines online, what consumers should know about expiry dates and the safeguards that need to be in place.
Until the medicines arrive, there is no way to verify its condition, packaging or expiry date. Consult your doctor for medical advice.
