UTEM academics warn of risks in unregulated medication sales

Academics from the Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM) in Chile have raised alarms regarding debates over the sale of medications through mass marketplaces and digital platforms. Experts from the Chemistry and Pharmacy department warn that such commercialization models, which lack direct professional supervision, pose significant public health risks.

Maité Rodríguez Díaz, head of the Chemistry and Pharmacy program at UTEM, stated that unrestricted access to drugs encourages irresponsible self-medication, leading to increased adverse reactions and a rise in accidental poisonings or overdoses. Additionally, the lack of professional oversight can result in the loss of the cold chain for certain medications.

Academic Renato Burgos emphasized that dispensing medication is a comprehensive clinical and sanitary act rather than a mere commercial transaction. He noted that pharmacists are responsible for validating prescriptions, checking for drug interactions and contraindications, and educating patients. Relying on algorithms or traditional logistics networks without professional intervention directly threatens patient safety and could impose economic burdens on the healthcare system.