ANALYSIS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD PHARMACY PRACTICE FOR PHARMACEUTICAL CONSULTINGWHEN CHOOSING OTC DRUGS ON THE WEBSITES OF ONLINE PHARMACIES

Abstract

Purpose of the study: to analyze the current state of Internet pharmacy websites in terms of compliance with Good Pharmacy Prac- tice requirements for pharmaceutical counseling for OTC-medicines. Methods. The study used the method of content analysis; a search was carried out in the search engines Google and Yandex for the keywords, «buy a pharmacy», «a drug store to buy a drug», «online pharmacy». TOP 25 pharma- cy websites were subjected to logical, comparative and structural analysis. The study consisted of 2 stages: an anal- ysis of the requirements of regulatory documents for pharmaceutical consulting when selling OTC drugs and an as- sessment of pharmacy websites in terms of ensuring compliance with these requirements when carrying out online commerce. Results. Studies of online pharmacy websites showed that most of the sites did not fully comply with the regulated require- ments: a pharmaceutical license is presented on 80% of sites, information on the type of pharmacy organization, on the impossibility of returning and exchanging pharmacy goods - on 76% of sites. The choice of OTC drugs based on symptoms within the framework of responsible self-medication was available on 24% of Internet pharmacy sites, but there were no indications of symptoms requiring immediate medical attention. Links to the State Register of Maximum Selling Prices were available on 8% of Internet pharmacy sites. Conclusion. Comparative analysis of information requirements in relation to pharmaceutical consulting in a pharmacy, reg- ulated by Orders of the Ministry of Health of Russia No. 80 «On approval of the Industry standard» Rules for the dispensing (sale) of medicines in pharmacies. Basic provisions «and No. 647n dated 31.08.2016» On approval of the Rules Good Pharma- cy Practice of Medicinal Products for Medical Use ”, Government Decree No. 697 of May 16, 2020“ On Approval of the Rules for Issuing Permits for Remote Retail Sale of Medicinal Products for Medical Use, Implementation of Such Trade ... ”, showed that most of the requirements for offline pharmacy were reflected in relation to Internet pharmacies, however, as a result of the analysis of Internet pharmacy websites, it was found that these requirements are not fully met. Additional criteria for evaluating online pharmacy sites corresponding to the level of pharmaceutical care in an offline pharmacy are proposed: the ability to select an OTC drug by symptoms within the framework of responsible self-medication, the presence of indications of symptoms that require immediate medical attention, the presence of instructions for the medical use of the drug in in ac- cordance with the State Register of Medicines, ensuring access to the State Register of maximum selling prices, availability of information on the actual shelf life of the medicinal products being sold.