1
                                                                       Exhibit 5

                                                       41 South High Street
                                                       Columbus, Ohio 43215-6194
                                                       Telephone: 614-227-2000
                                                       Facsimile: 614-227-2100
                                                       Nationwide: 800-533-2794

                               September 15, 1997

NetMed, Inc.
6189 Memorial Drive
Dublin, Ohio  43017

Gentlemen:

         With respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the
"Registration Statement") being filed by NetMed, Inc. (the "Company") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the registration of 1,500,000
common shares of the Company, without par value (the "Shares"), we advise you as
follows:

         We are counsel for the Company and have participated in the preparation
of the Registration Statement. We have reviewed the Company's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, the corporate action
taken to date in connection with the Registration Statement and the issuance and
sale of the Shares, and such other documents and authorities as we deem relevant
for the purpose of this opinion.

         We understand that the Shares will be issued to certain persons
("Selling Shareholders") upon the conversion of 6% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures of the Company and upon the exercise by the Selling Shareholders of
certain warrants to purchase Company common shares. We assume that the Shares
when issued to the Selling Shareholders will be sold in compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and with any applicable state securities or
"blue sky" laws.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, when the Shares
are sold by the Selling Shareholders in conformity with the terms of the
Registration Statement and in compliance with any applicable state securities or
"blue sky" laws, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur

                                PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR




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