Current Online-pharmacy News Results

Non-prescription medicines: current issues in Australian community pharmacy.

Int J Pharm Pract. 2009 Aug; 17(4): 207-13
Tan AC, Emmerton L

OBJECTIVES: This qualitative research aimed to improve understanding of the perceptions, experiences and attitudes of community pharmacists regarding developments in the nonprescription medicines market. METHOD: Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 20 community pharmacists in Brisbane, Australia. Pharmacists-in-charge were randomly telephoned from a list generated from online pharmacy-locator services and invited to participate in a face-to-face semi-structured interview based on six themes. The data collected were transcribed verbatim and analysed for prominent themes, major issues, differences and unique individual responses. KEY FINDINGS The topic commonly of concern to participants was the descheduling of non-prescription medicines (including ibuprofen and nicotine-replacement therapy) for availability via non-pharmacy medicine retailers. Other key findings and common themes related to the current scheduling of non-prescription medicines as Pharmacist Only Medicines and Pharmacy Medicines (largely favoured), the importance of pharmacists' advice on non-prescription medicines and the online system for control of pseudoephedrine sales (Project STOP; widely commended). CONCLUSIONS: Despite some variability in opinions and the potential for professionally desirable responses, the findings generally supported professional initiatives to preserve non-prescription medicines as a domain of community pharmacies. The involvement of pharmacists in medicine sales was largely favoured as an opportunity to maintain control over supply and to advise on appropriate medicines usage. These data may inform the quality supply of non-prescription medicines, and are of significance to countries operating or debating similar scheduling systems for non-prescription medicines.

Online consultations in cyberpharmacies: completeness and patient safety.

Telemed J E Health. 2009 Dec; 15(10): 1022-5
Orizio G, Schulz P, Domenighini S, Bressanelli M, Rubinelli S, Caimi L, Gelatti U

Many online pharmacies that serve as a substitute for original or personal medical prescriptions use a health questionnaire for consumers to complete on their Web site for buying prescription-only medicines. A content analysis of online medical questionnaires from a sample of online pharmacies (OPs) examined their completeness. Fifty-seven questionnaires were identified in which online pharmacies sought health status assessment from online purchasers. To evaluate the questionnaires, a checklist tallied their characteristics, including general features, medical history requested, and involvement of the consumer's doctor. Drug allergies were queried in 55 OPs (96.5%) and other allergies in 40 (70.2%). All of the questionnaires asked whether the consumer had suffered or was currently suffering from a particular illness, but a question about past surgery was present in 23 sites (40.3%) only; 40 sites (70.2%) asked women if they were pregnant or breastfeeding. Only 30 pharmacies out of 57 (52.6%) asked if the consumer's family doctor was aware of his/her intention of buying online and an even lower percentage (19.3%) asked if the purchase was based on a medical diagnosis rendered by a physician. Less than 20% of the pharmacies asked for the name, address, or telephone number of the consumer's family doctor. The results confirm the inadequacy of online pharmacy medical questionnaires in the assessment of health status for prescribing drugs. The results suggest that these questionnaires aim more at giving the consumer a false sense of health assurance than performing an effective assessment of his or her health status relative to the drug purchase.

Implementation of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008. Interim final rule with request for comments.

Fed Regist. 2009 Apr 6; 74(64): 15595-625

The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted on October 15, 2008, amended the Controlled Substances Act and Controlled Substances Import and Export Act by adding several new provisions to prevent the illegal distribution and dispensing of controlled substances by means of the Internet. DEA is hereby issuing an interim rule to amend its regulations to implement the legislation and is requesting comments on the interim rule.

State prescription drug price Web sites: how useful to consumers?

Res Briefs. 2008 Feb; 1-16
Tu HT, Corey CG

To aid consumers in comparing prescription drug costs, many states have launched Web sites to publish drug prices offered by local retail pharmacies. The current push to make retail pharmacy prices accessible to consumers is part of a much broader movement to increase price transparency throughout the health-care sector. Efforts to encourage price-based shopping for hospital and physician services have encountered widespread concerns, both on grounds that prices for complex services are difficult to measure and compare accurately and that quality varies substantially across providers. Experts agree, however, that prescription drugs are much easier to shop for than other, more complex health services. However, extensive gaps in available price information--the result of relying on Medicaid data--seriously hamper the effectiveness of state drug price-comparison Web sites, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). An alternative approach--requiring pharmacies to submit price lists to the states--would improve the usefulness of price information, but pharmacies typically oppose such a mandate. Another limitation of most state Web sites is that price information is restricted to local pharmacies, when online pharmacies, both U.S. and foreign, often sell prescription drugs at substantially lower prices. To further enhance consumer shopping tools, states might consider expanding the types of information provided, including online pharmacy comparison tools, lists of deeply discounted generic drugs offered by discount retailers, and lists of local pharmacies offering price matches.

Critical factors for assessing service quality of online pharmacies: a research framework.

Int J Electron Healthc. 2006; 2(4): 398-414
Lin B, Hsieh CT

There is a rapid growth of research on the online pharmacy and applications of the internet to pharmaceutical services. Increased data access to the general public has given rise to a class of sophisticated pharmaceutical consumers. With experienced and sophisticated consumers, rendering quality service is a key for online pharmacies. This paper identifies several key dimensions of service quality with a research framework for guiding online pharmacy systems' development and evaluation.

An instructional seminar for online case-based discussions.

Am J Pharm Educ. 2007 Jun 15; 71(3): 42
LeBlanc JM, Pruchnicki MC, Rohdieck SV, Khurma A, Dasta JF

OBJECTIVE: To assess a training seminar developed to prepare pharmacy instructors to facilitate online discussions. DESIGN: A 2-part seminar was developed to train faculty members and teaching assistants to facilitate online case-based discussions. A preseminar survey instrument was distributed to potential attendees and a postseminar survey instrument was given to those who attended the seminar. ASSESSMENT: Twenty (91%) instructors completed the preseminar survey instrument. Eleven of these instructors attended at least 1 session of the seminar and indicated that the didactic and/or application portions were either "helpful" or "very helpful." These faculty members and teaching assistants also completed the postseminar survey instrument and conveyed a significant increase in level of comfort in their ability to facilitate online case-based discussions (p=0.004). The 3 most frequently perceived barriers to online teaching remained consistent despite training or teaching experience. CONCLUSIONS: After attending a training seminar and/or facilitating an online case discussion, participants' comfort level in their ability to teach online increased. Further study of the impact of faculty development programs on teaching effectiveness and student satisfaction with online pharmacy education is warranted.

[Evaluation of Brazilian online pharmacies]

Rev Saude Publica. 2007 Apr; 41(2): 297-300
Gondim AP, Falcão CB

The growing number of Internet users brought forth an increase in the search for Brazilian online pharmacy services. Aiming at evaluating the validity of information disseminated in these websites, a descriptive study was carried out in 18 virtual pharmacies concerning legal aspects, accessibility, sources of information and drug advertising. It was found 15 pharmacies did not have authorization of the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency; the manager pharmaceutical officer's name could not be found in 17 of them; 17 pharmacies marketed drugs with no registration, especially herbal medicines, and did not show either information on adverse drug reactions or this agency's alerts and health recommendations. Since health control and drug commerce in Brazilian online pharmacies have not been yet regulated by proper government agencies, these gaps found in the sites can pose risk to the users' health.

Do online pharmacies fit European internal markets?

Health Policy. 2005 May; 72(2): 245-52
Mäkinen MM, Rautava PT, Forsström JJ

The aim of this article is to consider the suitability of online pharmacies into European internal market area. This required considering the models of present online pharmacies in respect to the existing legislation. Data on online pharmacy settings was collected by looking some online pharmacies, which were found by using Goggle search machine with term "online pharmacy" and by studying websites of some well-known online pharmacies. European legislation and policy were studied from European Union's official website. Online drug markets seem to be increasing in popularity for reasons related to their ready availability and cost benefits. Few online pharmacies are based in Europe, yet online markets are worldwide. Community legislation does not stipulate on the legality of online pharmacies on European internal markets. Instead Community legislation offers framework for electronic commerce that could also include online pharmacy practise. National legislation, however, may rule them out either directly or indirectly. Regardless of European internal markets online pharmacies' cross-border operations are particularly complicated. Preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice concerning one European online pharmacy's cross-border practise is awaited 2003-2004 and will offer some aspects for future.

Ask the pharmacist: an analysis of online drug information services.

Ann Pharmacother. 2005 Apr; 39(4): 662-7
Holmes ER, Desselle SP, Nath DM, Markuss JJ

BACKGROUND: The Internet plays a large role in the provision of drug information. Given the growing number of patients seeking consultation on the Internet and the difficulty in regulating online pharmacy providers, an analysis of drug information provided by Internet pharmacies is warranted. OBJECTIVE: To assess the response rates and quality of responses to drug information questions submitted to "ask the pharmacist"services on Internet pharmacy sites and determine whether differences exist between National Association of Boards of Pharmacy-approved and nonapproved sites and among free-standing, chain, and independent pharmacy sites in the quality of information provided. METHODS: A content analysis was conducted on responses to 5 drug information questions electronically mailed to each of 64 Internet pharmacies identified through a meta-engine search. Three judges rated the quality of response components using a scoring system developed by an expert panel, with inter-rater reliabilities subsequently calculated. Both t-test and ANOVA procedures tested for differences in response quality. RESULTS: Responses were received for 51% of all questions submitted to the sites. Few differences in quality were found between approved/unapproved sites and among types of pharmacies. The percentage of correct responses provided for each of 22 response components ranged from 7% to 96%. CONCLUSIONS: While few differences were found among sites based on their approval status or type, low response rates and incomplete counseling information among many of the responses are cause for concern.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass results in decreased prescription medication costs within 6 months.

J Gastrointest Surg. 2004 Dec; 8(8): 983-7
Gould JC, Garren MJ, Starling JR

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The treatment of obesity-related health conditions is costly. Although laparoscopic gastric bypass is expensive, health care costs in obese patients should decrease with subsequent weight loss and overall improved health. Specifically, monthly prescription medication costs should decrease quickly after surgery. Fifty consecutive laparoscopic gastric bypass patients at a university-based bariatric surgery program were enrolled in the study. Medication consumption was prospectively recorded in a database. Patients' monthly prescription (not over-the-counter) medication costs before surgery and 6 months postoperatively were calculated. Retail costs were determined by a query to drugstore.com, an online pharmacy. Generic drugs were selected when appropriate. Costs for diabetic supplies and monitoring were not included in this analysis. Patients were mostly female (86%). Mean body mass index preoperatively was 51 kg/m2. Mean excess weight loss at 6 months was 52%. Patients took an average of 3.7 prescription medications before surgery compared with 1.7 after surgery (P < 0.05). All patients took nonprescription nutritional supplements, including multivitamins, oral vitamin B12, and calcium postoperatively. Laparoscopic gastric bypass resulted in a significant improvement in comorbid health conditions as early as 6 months after surgery. In an unselected group of patients, this led to a substantial overall mean monthly prescription medication cost savings, especially in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.

Patient satisfaction with a Web-based patient-provider messaging system implemented across a statewide delivery system (Group Health Cooperative).

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003; 860
Hereford J, Bell E, Lee J, Eytan T

Since 1999, Group Health Cooperative has been developing and implementing Web services to improve patient access to health care. Among these services are a patient-provider secure messaging system and online pharmacy refills. A survey of patients using these services demonstrated the value of these tools in enhancing the patients' ability to manage their health care and the positive effects it could have on member retention.

Medications through the Internet: what clinicians and patients need to know.

J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2002; 16(2): 49-57
Larson BS

Patients are now able to obtain mail order prescriptions through the Internet from reputable online pharmacies without leaving their home. While this can be a great convenience, the Internet also provides a new means for easily questionable or even illegal prescription medications, i.e., prescription legend medications may be obtained without a prescription and drug products not legally available in the United States can be obtained in this way. Many chronic pain patients are drug seeking, and increasingly many are using the Internet to learn about medications, and perhaps to obtain them. Clinicians should know where their patients obtain medications, how to verify the validity of the sources of prescriptions, and how to report fraud. Ways to verify the legitimacy of an online pharmacy are described.

Regulation of online pharmacy: an Australian perspective.

J Law Med. 2003 Feb; 10(3): 339-63
Bernath P

This article argues that existing Australian regulations do not adequately cover online pharmacies or Internet advertising of medicines and that existing penalties and sanctions are often ineffective, potentially placing public health and safety at risk. Suggestions are made for future regulatory approaches. It is concluded that as well as an effective program of public education, cautious domestic legislative reform is necessary to ensure specific regulation of Australian online pharmacy practice and Internet advertising of medicines. In addition, the global nature of the Internet demands international co-operation and increased regulator and consumer vigilance.

Internet pharmacy: issues of access, quality, costs, and regulation.

J Med Syst. 2003 Feb; 27(1): 57-65
Crawford SY

Internet pharmacy has been the focus of heightened interest over the past 3 years since the first major Web site was introduced in the United States. This paper addresses issues pertaining to Internet pharmacies that sell prescriptions and other products to consumers at the retail level. The Internet pharmacy industry has shifted rapidly in the short time span. This paper begins with a summary of historical considerations and the shifting organization of Internet pharmacy. The advantages and disadvantages of online pharmacy practice are listed. Issues of access, quality, and cost are described. The challenges in regulation at the state and federal levels are presented. Advice to consumers is offered regarding the use of Internet pharmacy sites for purchasing prescription drug products.

VIPPS program suspends online pharmacy.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2001 Oct 1; 58(19): 1786, 1788
Young D

Taking the pulse of Internet pharmacies.

Mark Health Serv. 2001; 21(2): 4-10
Yang Z, Peterson RT, Huang L

Like most businesses, online pharmacy companies will only be successful if they make sure customers are satisfied with the service they receive. But what attributes of service quality lead to satisfaction and dissatisfaction? This study identified 19 Internet pharmacy service quality dimensions in three categories: (1) product cost and availability, (2) customer service, and (3) the online information system. Our analysis uncovered attributes that tend to determine consumer satisfaction and points out ways to improve overall service quality in the Internet pharmacy arena.

New NABP program combines criteria, inspections to certify online pharmacy quality.

J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 1999 Nov-Dec; 39(6): 870
Paulsen M

Online pharmacy. Rx for speedy service.

Hosp Health Netw. 1997 Sep 20; 71(18): 40
Douglass K