Telemedicine and the Online Pharmacy Sector: Healthcare at a Distance and Avenues of Corruption

The development and application of scientific and technical knowledge and equipment in the healthcare sector is one of continuous progress. Telemedicine is one such development. Access to healthcare online, in some jurisdictions and locales is an invaluable tool to reach and treat patients, but as with technological developments there is the potential for manipulation, disruption and corruption of a service. In this chapter then, I consider the impact of telemedicine and the avenues of corruption this has enabled and the limitations of national and international regulatory oversight of this system of healthcare. Building on this I review the online expanding pharmacy/chemist’s market and potential for corruption in dispensing ‘medication’ within and across borders and the problem of state backed and private verification systems. Technical developments are welcomed, but ease of access in the case of healthcare is not always a sign of progression.