Online Pharmacies
In the Republic of Latvia only non-prescription medicines can be distributed online according to the national legislation.
Retail selling of medicines via the internet is allowed only for those general or open type pharmacies which have obtained a specific licence for operation of a general or an open type pharmacy with a special notification in the licence – distribution of non-prescription medicines via the internet.
The list of legal pharmacies which distribute non-prescription medicines via the internet
Activity of those pharmacies is regulated by the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia:
- Regulation No 800 of the Cabinet of Ministers ”Procedure for Licensing of Pharmaceutical Activity” adopted on 19 October 2011;
- Regulation No 416 of the Cabinet of Ministers ”Procedures Regarding the Distribution and Quality Control of Medicinal Products” adopted on 26 June 2007.
The State Agency of Medicines of Latvia draws attention to the fact that there may be differences in Member States regarding the classification of medicinal products. Consequently Latvian pharmacies, which are allowed to distribute medicines via the internet, have permission to sell only non-prescription medicines included in the Drug Register of the Republic of Latvia.
Starting from 1 July 2015 a new common logo has been introduced in the European Union for the pharmacies, which provide retail selling of the medicines via the internet. Introduction of common logo is foreseen by:
- Directive 2011/62/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 amending Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use, as regards the prevention of the entry into the legal supply chain of falsified medicinal products;
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 699/2014 of 24 June 2014 on the design of the common logo to identify persons offering medicinal products for sale at a distance to the public and the technical, electronic and cryptographic requirements for verification of its authenticity.
An objective of introducing the common logo in the European Union is to assist the public in identifying legitimate online retailers, and to raise awareness of the risk of buying medicines from illegal online sources.
For more information see European Medicines Agency (EMA) information on falsified medicines.
