The Shift in Customer Behaviour Toward Using E-Pharmacies to Purchase Medications

Abstract

Abstract: Customers can visit and purchase medications from e-pharmacies online without visiting a pharmacy. However, there are always two sides to every story. Some clients choose to buy prescription drugs online. Anyone can now purchase anything online, including groceries, clothing, and electronics, thanks to the advancement of digital technology and the expansion of ecommerce platforms. As a result, purchasing prescription medications online has emerged as the new standard during this pandemic crisis. E-pharmacies are a cutting-edge and fascinating business idea that has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector. By doing away with middlemen, these online pharmacies that are entering the Indian market want to improve the availability of pharmaceuticals. This research attempts to examine and analyze the changing trends in medicine purchases. The project's objective is to understand how customers feel about online pharmacies and whether or not they will utilize them in the future. The sample size for the study was 520, and 12 items were included in the questionnaire presented to respondents. The results show that although only 46.34 per cent of respondents currently use e-pharmacies, 89.03 per cent of respondents are willing to use them in the future. According to the survey questionnaire, contactless delivery and convenience were the main factors influencing people to buy drugs from online pharmacies. The study sample could not be typical of the overall population of India, which is the research's main flaw. Despite the gradual pace, people are starting to change how they buy drugs from online pharmacies. The COVID-19 outbreak made drug purchases through online pharmacies easier.