Telepharmacy and telemedicine: New challenges in the international regulatory framework of the healthcare landscape

Background

The last decades have seen the emergence of a new type of communication between healthcare professionals and patients. However, the lack of services and healthcare professionals can be a barrier to providing adequate treatment and care to patients. Technology is the main tool to overcome some of these obstacles. In particular, telemedicine and telepharmacy appear to be enabling technologies that offer a unique and innovative way of providing quality pharmaceutical services. Telepharmacy can fill significant gaps in healthcare access, ensuring that patients in underserved areas receive the pharmaceutical care they need.

Methodology

This article describes the state of the art, strengths and gaps, and addresses several critical issues that telemedicine and particularly telepharmacy will face in relation to traditional healthcare delivery models, including geographic barriers, shortages of healthcare professionals and economic constraints.

Discussion

To realize the full potential of telepharmacy, it is crucial to establish clear regulatory frameworks, provide adequate training to healthcare professionals and ensure robust data protection.

Perspectives

With these measures in place, telepharmacy can transform the pharmaceutical industry by offering accessible, high-quality care to patients regardless of their geographic location.