A preliminary study to evaluate the behavior of Indian population toward E-pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Health Informatics
• Consumer Behavior

Background:

• The internet has revolutionized commerce, including medication purchasing.
• Limited data exists on the utilization of internet pharmacies.
• E-pharmacy presents both benefits and inherent risks for consumers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the Indian population regarding e-pharmacy.
• To understand user awareness and preferences for online medicine purchasing in India.

Main Methods:

• A KAP questionnaire was developed and distributed via Google Forms to collect data.
• The study involved 322 participants, assessing demographics, occupation, income, and internet usage.
• Data analysis focused on awareness levels and reasons for online/offline medicine purchase preferences.

Main Results:

• 83.2% of participants were aware of online pharmacies, with higher awareness among males and urban populations.
• The majority (81%) preferred offline medicine purchases, citing concerns about medicine quality and website trustworthiness.
• Key drivers for online purchases included medicine unavailability and price differences; prescription drugs were the most preferred online purchase.

Conclusions:

• While awareness of e-pharmacy is high, offline purchasing remains dominant due to trust and quality concerns.
• Users often search for medications online but consult physicians before purchasing.
• Establishing clear guidelines, increasing user awareness, and building trust are crucial for the future growth of online pharmacies.