Consumers Turning to the Internet Pharmacy Market: Cross-Sectional Study on the Frequency and Attitudes of Hungarian Patients Purchasing Medications Online.

András Fittler,Mátyás Káplár,Lajos Botz,Róbert György Vida

doi:10.2196/11115

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the past two decades, the internet has become an accepted way to purchase products and services. Buying medications online are no exception. Besides its benefits, several patient safety risks are linked to the purchase of medicines outside the traditional supply chain. Although thousands of internet pharmacies are accessible on the web, the actual size of the market is unknown. Currently, there is limited data available on the use of internet pharmacies, the number, and attitude of people obtaining medications and other health products from the internet.ObjectiveThis study aims to gather information on the frequency and attitudes of patients purchasing medications online in a nationally representative sample of outpatients. Attitudes towards main supply chain channels, perceived benefits, and disadvantages of influencing online medication purchase are evaluated.MethodsA cross-sectional explorative study using a personally administered survey was conducted in a representative sample of Hungarian outpatients in 2018.ResultsA total of 1055 outpatients completed the survey (response rate 77.23%). The mean age was 45 years, and 456 (43.22%) reported having chronic health conditions. The majority (872/1055, 82.65%) of the respondents were aware that medications could be obtained online, but only 44 (4.17%) used the internet for previous medication purchases. Attitudes towards the different pharmaceutical supply chain retail channels showed significant differences (P<.001), respondents accepted retail pharmacy units as the most appropriate source of medications while rejected internet pharmacies. Respondents were asked to evaluate 9 statements regarding the potential benefits and disadvantages about the online medicine purchase, and based on the computed relative attitude rate there is a weak still significant tendency toward rejection (P<.001). Correspondence of demographic factors, internet usage behavior, and prospective online drug purchase attitude was evaluated. Respondents who use the internet more and purchase goods online will be more likely to buy medications online. Furthermore, youth and education will determine the medication purchase behavior.ConclusionsMany patients will purchase medications on the internet in the future. Currently, there is an increased risk of patients buying products from illegal sites because these dominate the global online pharmacy market. Consequently, improved patient-provider communication and promotion campaigns are needed to inform the public about the safe use of internet pharmacies, as these initiatives can directly prevent patient safety threats.

Highlights

Introduction developing countries such asAfrica, Asia, India, and Latin America [20,21].The Internet Market of PharmaceuticalsThe internet has revolutionized and changed our lives, communication, and procurement practices and strategies [1]
Improved patient-provider communication and promotion campaigns are needed to inform the public about the safe use of internet pharmacies, as these initiatives can directly prevent patient safety threats. (J Med Internet Res 2018;20(8):e11115) doi:10.2196/11115
There are several patient safety risks linked to the online purchase of medicines outside the traditional supply chain, including counterfeit medications

Summary

Introduction

Introduction developing countries such asAfrica, Asia, India, and Latin America [20,21].The Internet Market of PharmaceuticalsThe internet has revolutionized and changed our lives, communication, and procurement practices and strategies [1]. As access to the internet increases, its use to seek health information is expanding. Estimates worldwide show that approximately 4.5% of all internet searches are linked to health-related questions or information [2]. Population-based surveys found that 72% of the online population in the US and 71% of internet users in Europe, searched for health information at least once in the previous twelve months [3-5]. These tendencies are further extended by mobile device uses [6]. There is limited data available on the use of internet pharmacies, the number, and attitude of people obtaining medications and other health products from the internet

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Discussion

Conclusion