Influence of internet on people baffles pharmacists

PHARMACISTS like Ronan Quirke, who has a business in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, are baffled about the sway the internet holds over people.

Mr Quirke is president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland - the State regulator of high street and community pharmacies.

“On a daily basis in my pharmacy people are bringing in things printed off the internet in relation to diseases or the medicines they have,” said Mr Quirke. “In 50% of cases I would question the reliability of what they are reading.”

Worryingly, he says many people are simply choosing to believe what they read off the internet and are not seeking the advice of trained professionals like pharmacists.

“But we need to identify why patients are looking to the internet to access their medicines.

“I remain to be convinced that it is purely cost driven.”

He said a better source of advice would be an official website where information from all healthcare professionals was available.

He said: “I’m not aware of any (internet) forum which currently garners the views of all the stakeholders.”