Consumer Online Foundation highlighted the recent trends in buying medicines and urged the Health Ministry to regulate the sale of medicine through all mediums.
- Consumer Online Foundation highlighted the latest consumer trends in buying medicines by a recent press conference.
- The survey report revealed the risk of medicines being sold without prescriptions and proper records. It also revealed that 61% of people preferred online pharmacies for purchasing medicines.
- The study on the perception of E-pharmacies conducted by Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF) showed that 76% of people responded that e-pharmacies were easier to access compared to offline mediums.
Consumer Survey Report on Purchase of Medicines
A recent survey conducted by the Consumer Online Foundation and Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India headed by Mr. Bejoy Mishra revealed the risk of a rise in medicines being sold without maintaining proper records and prescriptions.
People Buy Drugs Based On the Cost and Health Insurance Drug Coverage in the US
Drugs would be more cost-effective for society and even cost-saving for people with drug coverage but it is very different for those without coverage.
Drugs would be more cost-effective for society and even cost-saving for people with drug coverage but it is very different for those without coverage.
‘Online pharmacies are the latest consumer trends in buying medicines, but the Consumer Online Foundation highlighted the need for the Health Ministry to regulate the unsafe sale of medications through all mediums.’
The
survey also revealed that 61% of consumers preferred online medium for
purchasing medicines. The letter addressed by Mr. Bejoy Misra, Consumer activist and Founder of Consumer Online Foundation (COF), highlighted the findings of the survey conducted by COF and Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF).
Key Findings of the Consumer Survey
Unsafe Drugs- nimesulide, Cisapride, Phenylpropanolamine Banned
After several years of debate regarding the safety of nimesulide, cisapride and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) the DCGI has finally decided to ban these three unsafe drugs.
After several years of debate regarding the safety of nimesulide, cisapride and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) the DCGI has finally decided to ban these three unsafe drugs.
The survey also revealed that 90% of consumers now prefer online pharmacies to buy medicines. Senior citizens around the age of 55-74 prefer to buy medicines online as it is easier for them to avail medicines at their doorstep.
Advertisement
Mrs. Bina Jain, Former President of All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and Board Member of Consumer Online Foundation, said that proper awareness among patients and consumers with sound information on quality and safety of medicines is important to initiate access to quality healthcare.
Advertisement
The study on the perception of E- pharmacies conducted by BRIEF on 4600 respondents found online pharmacies to be beneficial compared to the offline mediums due to the adequate availability of medicines, qualified pharmacists for providing proper patient counseling, easy access for buying medicines through mobile apps, availability of medicines at convenient prices.
Around 76% of people responded that e- pharmacy would be convenient and easier to access for all age groups especially to the elderly as they can fit in all their medicinal requirements in one roof.
Reference:
- Consumer Online Foundation urges health ministry to regulate sale of drugs through all mediums - (http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=96131&sid=2)
- Consumer Survey reveals rise in unsafe purchase of drugs through offline mediums - (http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/general-others-factiva/consumer-survey-reveals-rise-in-unsafe-purchase-of-drugs-through-offline-mediums-116070700290_1.html)
