Telemedicine: the future?

Advantages There are no long waiting times for medical consultations, no complicated appointments, treatment takes place via smartphone or PC, by phone call or video chat - and it doesn't matter where you are. Practical: the medicine can be sent via a connected pharmacy on the Internet.

Cons Consumer advocates advise that you should never rely solely on an online doctor. The risk of misdiagnosis is too great.

Where can you find this? One of the largest online medical practices, DrEd, has just carried out its millionth treatment. However, the company has been criticized by many medical associations.

The reason: in Germany, treatments based solely on remote diagnosis are prohibited. However, the company is based in London and circumvents German law in this way.

Medication online

Theadvantages of online pharmacies are practical: there is no need to queue in the store and in many cases medicines are delivered free to your door. This is convenient and, since a ruling by the European Court of Justice, sometimes cheaper even for prescription medicines.

Disadvantages If you are only interested in the cheaper price, you can quickly and effectively compare the costs at various pharmacies on the Internet. However, this means that professional advice from a doctor falls by the wayside and the risk of dubious offers is much greater on the Internet.

Where can you find this? There are countless Internet pharmacies. Both German and foreign companies are engaged in a merciless price war.