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Returning drugs and medical devices is not that simple. When shopping at a pharmacy, it is worth being aware of the existence of separate provisions regulating the issue of their possible return or exchange. In this respect, a pharmacy is fundamentally different from a regular store.
The return of a drug or medical devicepatients most often explain by a change of therapy, faster recovery or a simple misunderstanding. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. The patient has the right to return a medicinal product or a medical device purchased in a pharmacy, demanding a refund, only in two cases - due to a quality defect of a given item or its improper delivery. In any other situation, the pharmacist may not accept the complaint.
Safety is the most important
The restriction of the right to return drugs and medical devices to pharmacies is primarily due to safety issues, as it prevents the re-circulation of preparations returned by patients.
The drug distribution system and their path from the manufacturer to the pharmacy and the patient are strictly controlled. The source of such a product is documented and the storage and transport conditions are constantly monitored. This guarantees their safety and the possibility of immediate intervention in the event of irregularities that threaten the life and he alth of patients. Thanks to this system, a patient who buys a drug at a pharmacy does not have to worry about its quality and safety. Acceptance of the return of the drug from the patient and its re-introduction to the market by the pharmacy prevents this control and makes the pharmacist unable to guarantee its quality. It is not known under what conditions the drug was stored by the patient (temperature, humidity, sunlight). Therefore, a resold drug may pose a risk to the life or he alth of the next buyer and is prohibited by pharmaceutical law. This is what the limitation of the right to return medicines and medical devices only to a situation where they have a quality defect (damaged packaging, expired, appearance raising doubts as to safety) or have been incorrectly dispensed (a mistake of a pharmacy employee). In such situations, the pharmacy returns the product to the wholesaler for complaint or disposes of it at its own expense.
Sometimes good will counts
These provisions do not apply to others, purchased inpharmacy products. However, in the case of medical equipment, foodstuffs, cosmetics and dietary supplements, their return to the pharmacy depends solely on the pharmacist's good will and is often dictated by the marketing policy of the facility. Polish law does not provide for the possibility of returning purchased items or exchanging them for other items. The exceptions are purchases made over the Internet or by phone. And here there is a slight paradox, because a drug or medical device bought in an online pharmacy can be returned within 10 days from the date of delivery. In such situations, however, the regulations require the pharmacy to dispose of it in such a way as to prevent its re-introduction on the market
ImportantWHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?Art. 96 of the Pharmaceutical Law Act of 6 September 2001: 5. Medicinal products and medical devices dispensed from the pharmacy are non-returnable, subject to para. 6. 6. The provision of para. 5 does not apply to a medicinal product or a medical device returned to a pharmacy.
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