The regulation of online pharmacies dispensing prescription-only medicines in Kenya: a consumer protection perspective

Abstract

In light of the advent of online pharmacies as a publicly accepted means of purchasing medical products and services, this research adopts a qualitative method of research to examine the legal challenges in the regulation of online pharmacies that dispense prescription-only medicines which may undermine the self-medicating consumer’s rights. It begins by giving a general overview of the characteristics of online pharmacies and proceeds to outline the existing national and international regulatory mechanisms that may apply to them. It further investigates the dispensation of prescription-only medicines by online pharmacies in Kenya before discussing the new challenges introduced by online pharmacies, not addressed in regulation.