As an increasing number of households obtain Internet access, entrepreneurs nationwide are scrambling to make online shopping a way of life for many Americans.
University alumnus Andy Stergachis, director of pharmacy services for drugstore.com, is one of those capitalizing on the emergence of e-commerce.
Stergachis spoke to University pharmacy students, faculty members and others Thursday about the promise of online pharmacies.
Stergachis co-founded the Washington-based company in 1999, and already drugstore.com claims sales to more than 695,000 customers.
The company employs 50 certified pharmacists and provides many of the same services as a traditional drugstore. Customers can fill prescriptions and buy over-the-counter medicines and beauty products from home computers and see the products delivered to their door within 3 to 5 days.
Stergachis said many major pharmaceutical chains are expanding to accommodate online sales, but drugstore.com is currently the leading online pharmacy.
But that does not mean the path to success has been all roses for drugstore.com. Stergachis said online pharmacies still face regulatory and market saturation hurdles.
“The biggest challenges are changing people’s behavior and getting the message out in a way that consumers see this as an alternative for them to get their prescriptions and other products,” Stergachis said. “A year and a half ago, there were virtually no online sales of prescription drugs.”
The passage of Internet tax legislation also poses a threat to drugstore.com and other online businesses, Stergachis said.
He does not expect online drugstores to render obsolete traditional offline counterparts. But he and his company are counting on the convenience of features like 24-hour availability and optional e-mail prescription reminders to keep drugstore.com in competition.

Travis Reed covers environment and transportation, and welcomes comments at [email protected]. He can also be reached at (612) 627-4070 x3232.