Aim:

To analyze the regulation of the sale of medicines by telematic procedures in Spain, as well as the risks and advantages that it presents.

Methodology:

The legislation on the regulation of the sale of medicines for human use through the Internet in the Spanish legal system was analysed and interpreted.

Results:

Said regulation is found in Royal Decree 870/2013, of November 8, which regulates the distance sale to the public, through websites, of medicines for human use not subject to medical prescription. This Royal Decree limits the sale of medicines through the Internet to those that do not require a medical prescription, since medicines can be sold illegally on the Internet, which poses a threat to public health. However, there are also advantages of this activity, such as the guarantee of access to medicines by the population. This contribution analyses the case of the new dispensing conditions established during the pandemic caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Conclusions:

To guarantee the safety of patients, the sale of medicines online is limited, however, in special situations, such as the health crisis generated by the new coronavirus, the regulatory framework was expanded to guarantee the population's access to medicines.