Online Pharmacies Tested: Price Advantages, but Also Risks in Consultation and Data Protection

However, the overall test results are less rosy. "Only two providers received the testers' rating of 'good,'" the report states. Two were given "sufficient," and the rest landed with "satisfactory" in the large middle tier. Health consultation was also tested, and here significant weaknesses emerge at several providers.

A central problem is consultation, particularly for prescription-only medicines. "But unfortunately, even for prescription-only medications, the important information on interactions and side effects is sometimes missing," says the health expert. Those who order online do not always receive the information that is part of the mandatory program at the pharmacy around the corner. "This is important because we expect pharmacies to counsel patients well," Sauer explains the criticism.

Consultation Lacking for Prescription-Only Medications

In addition, there are concrete safety concerns. "Medicines could then be counterfeit," the expert warns, referring to unlicensed or disreputable providers. "This is a significant health risk," she emphasizes. Anyone ordering from a mail-order pharmacy should therefore definitely check whether the provider actually has an official license.

Data protection also shows notable issues in the test. "In one case, an app transmitted data to an advertising tracker when redeeming a prescription. That is not at all in order under data protection law," says Bettina Sauer. This means that sensitive health data can end up in third-party hands, for example, for personalized advertising.

Data Protection and Returns as Weak Points

Another annoyance concerns the return of medications. "One additionally had a data protection problem, another refused the return of medications," Sauer reports. At a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, by contrast, returns are common under certain conditions and are regulated by law. "That is also their legal obligation," the expert emphasizes.

Anyone who still wants to order online has several ways to identify reputable providers. The European Consumer Centre Germany advises looking out for the common EU logo for mail-order pharmacies. "If you click on the logo, you must be redirected to a directory of all licensed mail-order pharmacies in the respective country. Or you will be redirected to an official ministry page that confirms the online pharmacy's license," the consumer centre explains. If clicking the logo leads nowhere or it is missing altogether, caution is advised.

How to Recognize Reputable Mail-Order Pharmacies

Special offers can also be a clue. "Some providers, for example, waive the co-payment for e-prescriptions," Sauer gives as an example. Such discounts are unusual among reputable providers and may indicate disreputable business practices.

Those who are unsure can also seek advice directly on site. "So as a tip, remember that you can ask locally," explains Bettina Sauer of Stiftung Warentest. Local pharmacists are obliged to provide consultation and can point out interactions with other medicines.

In principle: mail-order pharmacies are legal in the EU and can be a useful supplement, for example, for people in rural areas or with limited mobility. Mail-order trade is subject to the same quality requirements as the stationary pharmacy, provided the provider is licensed. However, those who do not verify this license run an avoidable risk.

The test results also show that even the licensed providers do not convince when it comes to service. The majority scored only "satisfactory," two scored "sufficient." This suggests that even within the legal market there is still room for improvement, particularly regarding personal consultation.

For everyday life, this means: those who buy over-the-counter products online can save money, but for prescription-only medicines and when consultation is needed, they are better off going to a local pharmacy. Those who still order online should look for the EU logo, verify the license, and not take discounts on co-payments for e-prescriptions for granted.

Conclusion: Save Money Yes, but with Caution

Ultimately, the price-performance ratio remains decisive. Those who simply want a delivery and do not need consultation can save money with a reputable mail-order pharmacy. However, those who value individual consultation or need prescription-only medicines are, according to Stiftung Warentest, better served at a brick-and-mortar pharmacy.

The Stiftung Warentest test is not a call to completely forgo online pharmacies. But it shows that the choice of provider is decisive and that the consultation that is a matter of course at a local pharmacy is often lacking online, or at least not offered in comparable quality.

Consumers who feel uncertain can turn not only to Stiftung Warentest but also to the consumer centres of the federal states, which can advise on questions about disreputable offers or data protection problems. The European Consumer Centre Germany is also available for cross-border questions.