What we thought impossible in the past is being changed with every new twist and turn that the online world takes, particularly as it undergoes an increased state of metamorphosis and extends the boundaries of possibilities that the Internet provides forward thinkers.

Now as the following article reveals – not everybody will agree with some of the developments. But the fact is this. The way we did things in the past are continuing to change at an alarmingly fast rate – whether we like it or not – even in the medical world.

‘More and more British websites are offering medical consultations and medication most countries only allow during in-person visits…

The websites don’t handle serious problems or emergencies and don’t deal in drugs people could become addicted to.

The European Commission does not monitor such medical websites but is working on a paper addressing the legal issues of tele-medicine.

In countries including Canada, Denmark, Germany and France, doctors are allowed to treat patients online only if they have previously seen them in person.

In the United States, several companies offer online medicine, but patients must typically speak to a doctor on the telephone or set up a video-conference for a live chat.

The British websites typically charge from about $A14 to $A34.

Some even ship a very small percentage of their drugs abroad; in Europe, it is legal for medication to cross borders as long as it is for personal use.

Dr Patrick Cadigan, a spokesman for Britain’s Royal College of Physicians, said it was particularly difficult to make a diagnosis without seeing a patient in person.

‘To lose personal contact with your patients means you lose clues about what may be wrong with them,’ he said.

‘I am concerned these websites could be steering patients to treatments for a financial incentive and not for their own good.’

However, on one prominent website in London the site’s medical director says that patients give a medical history, and are asked about other drugs they’re on to avoid any dangerous interactions.

On his website, they can also upload pictures of a problem.

Doctors then diagnose the condition, and if appropriate send out drugs in the mail.

Source: The Gold Coast Bulletin