Concept, Prospects and Challenges of Internet Pharmacy to Practice of Pharmaceutical Care: A Review
Sunday Olajide Awofisayo *
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Imoh Emmanuel Udoh
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Jessica Imeh Awofisayo
Bioscientifics Research and Development (Ltd/Gte), Ikot Ekepene, Nigeria.
Felix Njoku
Department of Computer Science, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.
Matthew Ikhuoria Arhewoh
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Internet pharmacy has been the focus of heightened interest over the past 10 years. The unfolding and increasing trend and availability of online health information and drug sourcing are becoming of palpable concerns as the internet is known to be characteristically porous in terms of legislature and regulatory control. This prevalence and pattern of use of the internet in this regard alongside knowledge and attitude of users are examined. The readiness of regulatory bodies and operational legislations in some countries to checkmate illegal and uncontrolled ethical drug sourcing is similarly highlighted. The advantages of online drug sourcing that may increasingly fuel the internet market are considered. Finally, necessary upgrade of existing physical drug outlets to tackle possible spurious and illegal virtual pharmacies and strategies to practice of pharmaceutical care based on online ideologies are also reviewed.
Keywords: Internet pharmacy, online health information, pharmaceutical care, practice strategies