Online pharmacies are the latest Internet craze.
If you believe the hype, these companies are destined for huge e-commerce success. From the vantage point of the pharmacist, this is just another milestone in the erosion of the pharmacy profession. It seems like a very long time ago when an independent pharmacist-owner would offer services such as prescription delivery or even pickup, blood pressure or diabetic screening, and other counseling. These pharmacists often were members of the communities they served, and over many years developed strong relationships with the patient, to the point of serving multiple generations of families. Solid bonds developed between pharmacist and patient, one that superseded the affectionate and respected title Doc.