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A nationwide web-based survey of a sample of Italian community pharmacists' perceptions and opinions about online sales of medicines and falsified drugs
Lombardo, Simona; Marino, Franca; Cosentino, Marco.
Afiliação
  • Lombardo, Simona; University of Insubria. Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology. Varese. Italy
  • Marino, Franca; University of Insubria. Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology. Varese. Italy
  • Cosentino, Marco; University of Insubria. Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology. Varese. Italy
Pharm. pract. (Granada, Internet) ; 17(4): 0-0, oct.-dic. 2019. tab, graf
Artigo em Inglês | IBECS | ID: ibc-191957
Biblioteca responsável: ES1.1
Localização: BNCS
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Throughout Europe, legal online pharmacies increasingly sell online drugs as well as other products such as dietary supplements. Online sale of pharmaceuticals however is closely connected to the phenomenon of drug falsification.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to assess the opinions of a sample of Italian community pharmacists towards the sale of pharmaceuticals on the web, as well as their knowledge and experience with falsified drugs.

METHODS:

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed by means of an online platform between October 2016 and January 2017. Collected information included demographics, workplace and role, opinions towards the online sale of pharmaceuticals, whether the pharmacy has a website, knowledge and opinions about falsified drugs.

RESULTS:

A total of 668 community pharmacists completed the questionnaire (mean age 48.5, SD 12.4 years, 52.3% women). Favourable opinions about online sale of pharmaceuticals were expressed by 4.9% of participants for prescription drugs, 25.4% for nonprescription drugs, and 51.6% for other products. Favourable opinions occurred more often among males and owners/directors of pharmacies in comparison to females and employees, and among pharmacists working in pharmacies with websites doing e-commerce. Knowledge about falsified drugs was limited, with 24.5% of respondents failing to indicate that falsified drugs may contain less or different ingredients, 46.4% less and/or different excipients, and 72.3% ignoring that falsified drugs may be lethal. One in 3 respondents didn't know about falsified drugs in Italy, however 51 participants had previous experience with falsified drugs and 21 provided specific information.

CONCLUSIONS:

Italian community pharmacists have low confidence in the online sale of pharmaceuticals, as well as alarmingly limited knowledge about falsified drugs, even if many of them reported previous experiences. Results may support targeted interventions to increase pharmacists' knowledge about pharmaceuticals and the web, as well as concerning falsified drugs, and suggest community pharmacies as key components of integrated systems aimed at monitoring falsified drugs
RESUMEN
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Assuntos

Texto completo: Disponível Coleções: Bases de dados nacionais / Espanha Base de dados: IBECS Assunto principal: Assistência Farmacêutica / Medicamentos sem Prescrição / Comercialização de Medicamentos / Medicamentos Falsificados Limite: Humanos País/Região como assunto: Europa Idioma: Inglês Revista: Pharm. pract. (Granada, Internet) Ano de publicação: 2019 Tipo de documento: Artigo Instituição/País de afiliação: University of Insubria/Italy

Texto completo: Disponível Coleções: Bases de dados nacionais / Espanha Base de dados: IBECS Assunto principal: Assistência Farmacêutica / Medicamentos sem Prescrição / Comercialização de Medicamentos / Medicamentos Falsificados Limite: Humanos País/Região como assunto: Europa Idioma: Inglês Revista: Pharm. pract. (Granada, Internet) Ano de publicação: 2019 Tipo de documento: Artigo Instituição/País de afiliação: University of Insubria/Italy
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