An Evaluation of Online Pharmacies for Compliance to Regulatory Criteria and Price Variation of Listed Medicines
1★, 1, 1, 1★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Pharmacology, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA.
CORRESPONDENCE
Chetan Dasharathbhai Parikh
Department of Pharmacology, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA.
Received: 06-11-2018; Revised: 15-01-2019; Accepted: 17-02-2019.
Volume 11, Issue 2 · pp. 207-212 · 2019 · DOI: 10.5530/jyp.2019.11.43
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate Online Pharmacies (OPs) for compliance to regulatory recommendations and to assess price variations of selected medicines, sold from these pharmacies.Method: The first 100 listed websites from different countries on Google (Search terms: “e-pharmacy websites” and “online pharmacies”) were selected. Primary and secondary criteria for assessment were determined from Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) programme and recommendations of relevant regulatory bodies. A checklist was prepared and re-validated. The OPs were grouped according to the presence of regulatory recommendations in that country. Seven branded medicines sold in India were selected and assessed for price variations.Results: A total of 100 OPs belonging to 17 different countries were analyzed. Of these, 32 were Indian. Forty-seven OPs from countries with regulatory recommendations for OPs were included in Group- A. Of these, 24 (51%) OPs did not comply with primary criteria like Shipment within territory of the country (60%), requirement of prescription (39%), confidentiality policy (34%) and secondary criteria like providing option for communication with pharmacist (43%), toll-free number (39%) and information about contraindications and special precautions (65%). Fifty-three OPs belonged to countries without any regulatory recommendations made for OPs and were included in Group- B. Of these 16 OPs did comply with the criteria. About 40% OPs provide a facility for a prescription refill. An option for generic/lower price substitute was provided in 79% OPs. A marked price variation (14%-32%) was observed for selected brand medicines.Conclusion: Continuous monitoring for adherence to regulatory recommendations, price variations and consumer education about the appropriate use of OPs is required.
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Parikh, C. D., Desai, C. K., Shah, M. K., & Mishra, V. R. (2019). An Evaluation of Online Pharmacies for Compliance to Regulatory Criteria and Price Variation of Listed Medicines. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 11(2), 207-212. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2019.11.43
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