Online Drug Purchasing in India: Community Pharmacists Perceptions and Attitudes

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dc.contributor.authorSatheesh, SSen_US
dc.contributor.authorSai, Lakshmi Ven_US
dc.contributor.authorSigma, Surbhien_US
dc.contributor.authorShreyas, PRen_US
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-13T11:54:30Z
dc.date.available2025-08-13T11:54:30Z
dc.date.issued2025-07
dc.description.abstractBackground: In India, online pharmacies have gained significant popularity and are reshaping the way in which pharmaceutical services are provided. With community pharmacist serving as an integral part of public health, promoting the safe and effective use of medicines, this study aimed to evaluate their perceptions of online pharmacies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bangalore, Karnataka India. An electronic survey was developed and distributed to pharmacists across Bangalore through email and the collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 122 pharmacists participated in the study, and more than half of the participants agreed that they purchase medicines from online pharmacies, with approximately 19% doing it frequently and 52% making occasional purchases for their personal or family use. Half of the respondents (50.81%) believe that online pharmacies can be a source of counterfeit and substandard medicines and raised their concern over their safety. Participants suggested mandatory (47.54%) prescription verification, stringent regulatory measures, and accreditation processes for online pharmacies. Conclusion: Online pharmacies have the potential to further expand access to medications but must be introduced into the healthcare system in a balanced approach that does not compromise either patient safety or the traditional roles of pharmacies.en_US
dc.identifier.affiliationsDepartment of Hospital and Health Management, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, Indiaen_US
dc.identifier.affiliationsDepartment of Hospital and Health Management, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, Indiaen_US
dc.identifier.affiliationsDepartment of Hospital and Health Management, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, Indiaen_US
dc.identifier.affiliationsDepartment of Hospital and Health Management, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, Indiaen_US
dc.identifier.citationSatheesh SS, Sai Lakshmi V, Sigma Surbhi, Shreyas PR. Online Drug Purchasing in India: Community Pharmacists Perceptions and Attitudes. National Journal of Community Medicine. 2025 Jul; 16(7): 716-719en_US
dc.identifier.issn2229-6816
dc.identifier.issn0976-3325
dc.identifier.placeIndiaen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/254519
dc.languageenen_US
dc.publisherMedsci Publicationsen_US
dc.relation.issuenumber7en_US
dc.relation.volume16en_US
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.160720255314en_US
dc.subjectOnline pharmacyen_US
dc.subjectCommunity Pharmacisten_US
dc.subjectCounterfeit medicinesen_US
dc.subjectRegulationen_US
dc.titleOnline Drug Purchasing in India: Community Pharmacists Perceptions and Attitudesen_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
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