scholarly journals Consumers Turning to the Internet Pharmacy Market: Cross-Sectional Study on the Frequency and Attitudes of Hungarian Patients Purchasing Medications Online (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Fittler ◽  
Róbert György Vida ◽  
Mátyás Káplár ◽  
Lajos Botz
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Internet Pharmacies ◽  
Use Of Internet

BACKGROUND During the past two decades, the internet has become an accepted way to purchase products and services. Buying medications online are no exception. Besides its benefits, several patient safety risks are linked to the purchase of medicines outside the traditional supply chain. Although thousands of internet pharmacies are accessible on the web, the actual size of the market is unknown. Currently, there is limited data available on the use of internet pharmacies, the number, and attitude of people obtaining medications and other health products from the internet. OBJECTIVE This study aims to gather information on the frequency and attitudes of patients purchasing medications online in a nationally representative sample of outpatients. Attitudes towards main supply chain channels, perceived benefits, and disadvantages of influencing online medication purchase are evaluated. METHODS A cross-sectional explorative study using a personally administered survey was conducted in a representative sample of Hungarian outpatients in 2018. RESULTS A total of 1055 outpatients completed the survey (response rate 77.23%). The mean age was 45 years, and 456 (43.22%) reported having chronic health conditions. The majority (872/1055, 82.65%) of the respondents were aware that medications could be obtained online, but only 44 (4.17%) used the internet for previous medication purchases. Attitudes towards the different pharmaceutical supply chain retail channels showed significant differences (P<.001), respondents accepted retail pharmacy units as the most appropriate source of medications while rejected internet pharmacies. Respondents were asked to evaluate 9 statements regarding the potential benefits and disadvantages about the online medicine purchase, and based on the computed relative attitude rate there is a weak still significant tendency toward rejection (P<.001). Correspondence of demographic factors, internet usage behavior, and prospective online drug purchase attitude was evaluated. Respondents who use the internet more and purchase goods online will be more likely to buy medications online. Furthermore, youth and education will determine the medication purchase behavior. CONCLUSIONS Many patients will purchase medications on the internet in the future. Currently, there is an increased risk of patients buying products from illegal sites because these dominate the global online pharmacy market. Consequently, improved patient-provider communication and promotion campaigns are needed to inform the public about the safe use of internet pharmacies, as these initiatives can directly prevent patient safety threats.

scholarly journals An overview of internet use among professionals of Moradabad: a critical appraisal

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Neha Priya ◽  
Samreen Khan ◽  
Sachin Lal
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Use Of Internet

Background: Internet is a boon and has certainly helped to bring the world closer. It has been a great medium for students to communicate and get information by transforming the academic landscape. However the excessive and undisciplined use of internet by individuals especially in the last decade, has led to the emergence of the concept of internet addiction. Therefore, a cross sectional study has been conducted to investigate the use of internet facility among undergraduate students from Teerthankar Mahaveer University using a validated questionnaire. There were about 42 million active internet users in urban India in 2008 when compared to 5 million in 2000. India now has the world’s third-largest national digital population, with approximately, 159 million Internet users in 2014, which is projected to reach 314 million by 2017 (IMRB 2014). The aim was to study prevalence and pattern of internet usage among undergraduate students in Moradabad. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among medical students (n=382) belonging to all the professionals of medical college, to assess the pattern of internet usage. A semi-structured proforma along with Young’s internet addiction scale was used. Results: Of the 382 adolescents who took part in the study, 150 (39.27%) were female and 232 (60.73%) were males. Their mean age was 16.20 years. Using Young’s original criteria, 22 (5.76%) were found to be addicts, 230 (60.21%) were moderately addicted, 45 (11.78%) were average users while in 85 (22.25%) of student’s internet use was less than average. Most of internet use was for social networking 183(47.9%), downloading media files 125 (32.7%), online gaming 45 (11.8%), academic purposes 10 (2.6%) and others 19 (5%). About 275 (72%) of the students were using smart phones to access the internet. Conclusions: Most of the internet usage was for the purpose of social networking (Facebook, Whats App, Mails, etc). Availability of high speed free wi-fi internet on mobile phones as well as more reliance on virtual friendship than real may be the reason for spending more time on social network websites. 

scholarly journals The Relationship between Insufficient Sleep and Self-Rated Health in a Nationally Representative Sample

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dee Geiger ◽  
Charumathi Sabanayagam ◽  
Anoop Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Insufficient Sleep ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Relationship

Reduced sleep has been found to be associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to be a predictor of CVD and mortality. However, study of the association between insufficient sleep and SRH is limited. We examined participants >18 years of age (n=377, 160) from a representative, cross-sectional survey (2008 BRFSS). Self-reported insufficient sleep in the previous 30 days was categorized into six groups. The outcome was poor SRH. We calculated odds ratios ((OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of increasing categories of insufficient rest/sleep, taking zero days of insufficient sleep as the referent category. We found a positive association between increasing categories of insufficient sleep and poor SRH, independent of relevant covariates. In the multivariable-adjusted model, compared to 0 days insufficient sleep, the OR (95% CI) of poor SRH was 1.03 (0.97–1.10) for 1–6 days, 1.45 (1.34–1.57) for 7–13 days, 2.12 (1.97–2.27) for 14–20 days, 2.32 (2.09–2.58) for 21–29 days, and and 2.71 (2.53–2.90) for 30 days of insufficient sleep in the prior 30 days (P-trend <0.0001). In a nationally representative sample, increasing categories of insufficient sleep were associated with poor SRH.

scholarly journals ILLEGAL INTERNET PHARMACIES AS A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN EUROPE

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 2169-2174
Author(s):  
Nataliya O. Gutorova ◽  
Vitalii M. Pashkov ◽  
Oleksii S. Soloviov
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
National Level ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Black Market ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Internet Pharmacies

The aim: This article aims to raise awareness and stimulate serious discussion about the dangers of illegal Internet pharmacies for patient safety and public health, the necessity to improve legal instruments, and unite the efforts of governments, professional organizations, and civil society for combating this activity. Materials and methods: This study is based on the Medicrime Convention, empirical and analytical data of the WHO, Interpol, Europol, NABF, Directive 2011/62/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 8, 2011, the regulatory acts and juridical practice of Ukraine, experts interview of pharmacy practicians, analysis of websites. Totally 18 laws and papers, 34 court judgments, 50 websites were analyzed, six experts were interviewed. Dialectical, comparative, analytic, synthetic, system analyses and sociological research methods were used. Results: Illegal Internet pharmacies are widespread in Europe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This black market poses a severe threat to patient safety and public health as falsifying, substandard, and smuggled medicines are sold through these channels. Without any exception, all illegal pharmacies sell prescription drugs without any prescriptions. Regulatory and protective legal instruments at the national and international levels are insufficient to counter the Internet trade in medicines. Conclusions: The widespread proliferation of illegal Internet pharmacies in Europe requires European states to work together to protect patient safety and public health. A legal mechanism needs to be established to exchange information and combat illegal pharmaceutical activities on the Internet at the international level. At the national level, it is necessary to strengthen control over the wholesale of prescription medications to prevent them from entering the black market.

scholarly journals The Internet Use for Health Information Seeking among Ghanaian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict Osei Asibey ◽  
Seth Agyemang ◽  
Augustina Boakye Dankwah
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Use Of Internet

The aim of the study was to investigate university students’ use of the Internet for health purpose in the Ghanaian context. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design. A total of 650 out of 740 students selected from 3 different universities participated, giving a response rate of 87.7% (650/740). Data were obtained using questionnaires and frequency and percentages were used to analyze data. The results show that university students are active users of the Internet as 78.3% (509/650) used Internet daily and 67.7% (440/650) use Internet for health purposes, for reasons including availability and ease of accessing information, privacy, confidentiality, and affordability. Use of Internet was constrained by unreliable and slow connection, high cost of Internet, and unreliable power supply. Also, 72.4% (315/435) used the online health information obtained as a basis for lifestyle change and only 39.5% (170/430) consulted health professionals after obtaining online information. The study concludes that students use Internet to seek online health support. The use of Internet to communicate with young people in relation to their health must therefore be explored. There is the need to be aware of online safety issues for young adults, including the need to provide information on privacy options.

scholarly journals Current Threats to Maintaining a Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain in an Online World

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89
Author(s):  
John B. Hertig ◽  
Libby Baney ◽  
Robert J. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain ◽  
On Line ◽  
Patient Use ◽  
Pharmacy Leaders

Background: Maintaining integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain is critical to providing medications that are free from adulteration (counterfeit, substandard or unapproved medications), making them safe for patient use. Purchasing pharmaceuticals through the Internet can be associated with a risk of receiving adulterated medicines. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the current threats to maintaining a secure pharmaceutical supply chain, specifically focused on Internet-based procurement of medications. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted along with collating important up to date resources and other publications that provide foundational information to understanding the risks and prevention strategies for online purchasing of pharmaceuticals. Conclusion: The information provided in this article helps to properly inform pharmacy leaders to the resources available to protect against the risks of on-line purchasing of pharmaceuticals.

A Supplier Portal in the Automotive Industry

2011 ◽  
pp. 992-996
Author(s):  
Martina Gerst
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
The Internet ◽  
It Infrastructure ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
Strategic Resources ◽  
It Systems ◽  
Use Of Internet ◽  
Business To Business

The use of Internet technologies and particularly portal technologies facilitate the creation of networks of relationships within the supply chain that provide organizations with access to key strategic resources that could not have been otherwise obtained (Venkatraman, 2000). As a result, portals appear to play a significant role in the business-to-business (B2B) arena. Even before the advent of the Internet, the use of information technology (IT) has been claimed to lead to a tighter coupling between buyer and supplier organizations (Malone, Yates, & Benjamin, 1987), allowing business partners to integrate their various business processes and enabling the formation of vast networks of intra- and inter-organisational relationships (Venkatraman, 1991). Nevertheless, such claimed integration effects require interoperability between IT systems, which can not be achieved in the absence of common IT standards or at least common IT infrastructure.

Is Their Craze on the Internet?

10.28945/2372 ◽  
2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Benesch
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
The Internet ◽  
User Group ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Mail Address ◽  
Use Of Internet ◽  
E Mail

For a long time researchers have been considered the question of the use of Internet for its users. In this study we do not want to execute a collection over companies or an entire state, but to limit us to a user group, the students of the Graz University of Technology.From the total extent of the students with a valid e-mail address a representative sample survey has been carried out. To those students a message, which refers to the questionnaire, was sent by means of e-mail. The questionnaire is available electronically at the WWW. The results of this study give us a view, how strong electronic services determined and as which medium it is used.

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with the use of internet, and its psychopathological effects among intermediate students in Hyderabad city, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1397
Author(s):  
Pooja Chauhan ◽  
Sai Ram B. Reddy ◽  
A. Goparaju
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intermediate Students ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Use Of Internet

Background: Excessive use of the internet has become one of the leading challenges of the modern society and causes both physical and mental impairment. There are various researches done worldwide to know the prevalence of internet addiction, factors influencing it and it impact on the lives of adolescent population. Keeping this in mind this study is planned to estimate the use of internet and its impact among intermediate students in Hyderabad city. To know the prevalence of internet use, depression, stress and anxiety among the students; and psychopathological effect of internet use among them.Methods: Multi-centric, cross-sectional study was conducted among intermediate college students. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to assess the internet use and psychopathological effect like behavioural problems, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress using appropriate scales. It was a self-reported questionnaire.Results: Abnormal internet use was found in 55.9% of students. It was significantly found among those students living alone or sharing room with friends, who had phones before the age of 16 years. It was found more among males and those earning, but not significantly.Conclusions: It can be seen that higher internet use causes sleep problems, behavioural issues, physical health problems, depression, anxiety and stress. But it is also seen that there are factors which have a great influence on the internet use, which can be easily controlled or modified.

A Silenced Population

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Melanie Bozzay ◽  
Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Melissa Witmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Peer Relationship ◽  
Student Records ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Method Student

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.

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