Abstract
The advents in technology through continuous innovations have supported to improve the quality of the human life in the society. One of the innovation due to the invention of ICT based online/mobile high-speed internet is e-business which allowed the development of online shopping/purchase of both intangible and tangible commodities online. The major advantage and benefit of this online model is its ubiquity, convenience, and low cost to the customer. The online shopping/purchase model is now becoming popular especially among youngsters. One variation of this e-purchase model is online pharmacy model where a consumer can purchase the prescribed drug online to take some of the advantages of this model. In this paper, we have studied the customer’s attitude, views, and concern on this new channel of drug distribution using the data collected by online questionnaire from the general population. The data obtained from this survey is analysed, assessed and interpreted. Based on information collected and focused group study, the online pharmacy model is analysed using ABCD analysis framework. The various issues related to online pharmacy, affecting factors are studies under ABCD constructs using ABCD listing methodology. Based on the outcome of the study, many recommendations are suggested for developing proper controlling mechanism/regulations for drug control authorities of the country to avoid misuse of the online channel for the drug purchase.
Highlights
The rapid increase in high-speed internet usage at low cost using mobile devices ubiquitously has promoted the online purchase of various tangible and intangible commodities
The online shopping/purchase model is becoming popular especially among youngsters. One variation of this e-purchase model is online pharmacy model where a consumer can purchase the prescribed drug online to take some of the advantages of this model
The various issues related to online pharmacy, affecting factors are studies under ABCD constructs using ABCD listing methodology
Summary
The rapid increase in high-speed internet usage at low cost using mobile devices ubiquitously (anytime anywhere any amount of time) has promoted the online purchase of various tangible and intangible commodities. With the advent of the Internet, the gap between people living in rural areas and leading medical facilities of the country has reduced to a bare minimal and online purchase of medicines assures the supply within some predetermined fixed time [3]-[9]. As beneficial as this new technology has been to its users, the risks involved in purchasing pharmaceutical products online cannot be shelved. The safety of the patients/consumers who use online drugs is in question and the dilemma of using such unsecured channel for drug dispensing is the present concern for many regulatory bodies
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