Consumers’ usage and adoption of e-pharmacy in India

Unravelling the shift: exploring consumers' adoption or resistance of E-Pharmacy through behavioural reasoning theory

In the ever-evolving nature of the healthcare sector, the advent of electronic-Pharmacy introduces a dynamic shift in how consumers acquire and access medical and pharmaceutical products. The research utilized the behaviour reasoning theory. The study evaluated the reasons for adopting and against adopting electronic-Pharmacy. By employing the qualitative approach, this study unravels rich contextual and narrative insights, shedding light on the complexities of individual decision-making processes. The study received responses from 28 through an in-depth interview, and thematic data analysis was employed for the data analysis. The outcome of the research is summarized as follows. The respondents indicated that essential reasons for adopting electronic pharmacy services include convenience and accessibility, prescription management, cost and affordability, logistics, and timely delivery. On the other hand, the reasons against adoption include trust and security concerns, regulatory challenges and legal uncertainties, lack of internet access and privacy concerns. As technology changes healthcare delivery, this research closes the knowledge gap between theory and practice by offering crucial insights into the behavioural aspects influencing electronic-Pharmacy adoption or resistance. The findings are anticipated to significantly impact the academic discourse surrounding electronic-health and the practical implementation of strategies to enhance the integration of electronic-Pharmacy services into conventional healthcare systems.

Facilitators, Barriers, and Potential Impacts of Implementation of e-Pharmacy in India and its Potential Impact on Cost, Quality, and Access to Medicines: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

e-Pharmacy can potentially solve problems related to the quality of services and products, cost, and access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries. This review aims to understand the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of e-pharmacy in India.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed (1) to understand the facilitators and barriers to the use of e-pharmacy in India and (2) to estimate the potential for e-pharmacy in India for improving access to medication, improving the quality of services and medicines, and decreasing costs of medications.

METHODS

All published and gray literature from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2021, relating to e-pharmacy, was searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google using a systematic search strategy.

RESULTS

In total, 1464 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 47 full-texts were included in the review. e-Pharmacy can potentially improve access to medications for remote areas, and old and debilitated individuals. e-Pharmacies can enable lean supply chain management, lower cost, and allow easy tracking of dispensed medicines. There is potential for integration of e-pharmacy services into the national program of Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. However, the country is not adequately regulated to prevent the growth of illicit e-pharmacies. Lack of global accreditation and internet coverage, digital literacy, and transnational access are other challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

E-pharmacy has the potential to improve universal health coverage in India by improving access to medicines and lowering the overall cost of health care. However, future growth will need specific regulations and accreditation mechanisms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Open Science Forum; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/6R9YQ.

Information literacy and intention to adopt e-pharmacy: a study based on trust and the theory of reasoned action

BACKGROUND

E-pharmacy has gained popularity as an increasingly utilized platform for accessing healthcare services online. However, its adoption exhibits regional variations and necessitates improvement in certain aspects. Guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Trust theory, this research explores the pivotal role of information literacy in influencing attitudes, perceived control, word of mouth, and trust. The overarching aim is to understand how these factors collectively impact the adoption of E-pharmacy services.

METHODS

The study employed Structural Equation Modeling to assess data collected from 473 participants in Nigeria. This methodology allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the intricate relationships between information literacy, attitudes, perceived control, word of mouth, trust, and E-pharmacy adoption. By utilizing statistical tests within this framework, the research sought to provide a robust analysis of the data and derive meaningful insights.

RESULTS

The findings of the research underscore the significance of information literacy in shaping individuals' attitudes towards E-pharmacy. Higher information literacy levels were associated with more positive attitudes, an enhanced sense of perceived control, and increased positive word-of-mouth regarding the use of E-pharmacy services. Additionally, the study revealed that trust plays a crucial intermediary role between word-of-mouth communication and the actual adoption of E-pharmacy.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this research offers a novel and comprehensive explanation of the relationship between information literacy and the adoption of E-pharmacy services. The study's outcomes contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on E-pharmacy adoption, emphasizing its potential to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency within the evolving landscape of digital healthcare. The implications of the findings extend to policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders interested in optimizing the adoption and integration of E-pharmacy services.

What influences consumers' online medication purchase intentions and behavior? A scoping review

Objective: Consumers increasingly buy pharmaceuticals online. No scoping review has been carried out to summarize and synthesize the studies that have identified drivers of consumers' purchase intention and behavior from online pharmacies. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to explore the extent to which prior research has studied consumer purchase intentions and behavior related to online pharmacies, the drivers previously identified to explain consumers' online pharmacy purchase intentions and behavior, and how these antecedents differ between OTC and prescription medications. Then, we identified gaps in the published literature to form a comprehensive theory-based agenda for future research. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to retrieve relevant studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The search strategy identified forty-eight eligible studies. Results: We identified twelve types of factors influencing purchase intentions and behaviors from online pharmacies: demographics, convenience, availability, price, evaluations of the purchase environment, information sources, internet usage, prior experience, perceived risk, health insurance, privacy, and product. Our analysis also revealed differences between OTC and prescription medications in drivers of purchase intentions and behaviors. Conclusion: While demographic factors tended to be the most often measured influences on intentions and behavior, their role was generally inconsistent, with many contradictory results. However, other factors (e.g., convenience, availability, lower prices, and favorable evaluations toward the purchase environment) more consistently enhanced online medication purchase intentions and behavior. An extensive agenda for future research is advanced.

Ageing well with tech: Exploring the determinants of e-healthcare services adoption in an emerging economy

The adoption of e-healthcare services is critical for improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency, particularly in regions with diverse populations, such as Malaysia. Although e-healthcare services offer numerous advantages, their adoption is considerably low and requires a thorough understanding of the key factors that influence their use. This study investigated the determinants and dynamics of e-healthcare adoption among adults over 40 years by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. We employed a quantitative research approach, specifically a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 393 Malaysian respondents through a structured survey questionnaire, using convenience sampling. They were analyzed using partial least-squares-structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and perceived product value significantly influenced individuals' intentions to use e-healthcare services. Meanwhile, perceived risk had an insignificant negative effect. Facilitating conditions significantly influenced individuals' intentions and actual usage of e-healthcare services. Furthermore, individuals' intentions to use e-healthcare services significantly affected their actual use of these services. Additionally, the intention to use e-healthcare services mediated the relationship between the factors and usage of e-healthcare services, except for perceived risk. Surprisingly, perceived service accuracy had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between individuals' intention to use and their actual use of e-healthcare services. This study offers valuable insights for educators, practitioners, and policymakers, enriching the scholarly discourse in this field. For education, integrating e-healthcare topics into curricula can enhance digital health literacy. In practice, healthcare providers should focus on improving user experience and addressing barriers to technology adoption. For policy making, developing supportive policies, and infrastructure to facilitate e-healthcare adoption is crucial to enhancing public health outcomes.

From purely physical to purely online pharmacies: exploring different shopper profiles and discussing some widespread beliefs

Purpose

Up until now, some internet shopper profiles based on certain findings have been generally accepted. It is widely believed that internet shoppers tend to be more innovative, less averse to risk, more variety-seeking, more information-seeking, more impulsive and more interested in pursuing convenience. This paper aims to discuss some of these assumed characteristics by contrasting and comparing customers of three different types of pharmacies.

Design/methodology/approach

Three exploratory-descriptive design studies are conducted to profile customers from three different types of pharmacies in Mexico. Data from three samples are assessed, including 198 customers of physical drugstores without an e-channel, 150 customers of physical pharmacies with an e-channel and 271 customers of online pharmacies.

Findings

Shoppers from physical pharmacies purchase more food and drinks than actual medicine. Shoppers from physical pharmacies with e-channels tend to use the internet to acquire information about pharmaceutical products but do not make purchases online; they prefer to obtain products immediately from a physical drugstore instead of waiting for delivery from an e-channel. Contrasting with the two former customer types, shoppers who use e-pharmacies are specific in the numbers and types of products they purchase, medicines being the main priority.

Originality/value

The three types of customers and their preferred shopping platforms may show important profile differences. Despite the evidence in previous literature, shoppers at physical pharmacies are not necessarily non-convenience oriented (time and effort), noninformation analyzing, non-price conscious or less positive in their attitude about shopping; instead, they may simply be averse to technology.

Understanding the determinants of ePharmacy services: the moderating effect of technology discomfort

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the determinants affecting behavioral intention (BI) to use ePharmacy services. The moderating role of technology discomfort in the relationship between BI and the actual use of ePharmacies in the context of Bangladesh is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive, quantitative approach was used to consider the UTAUT-2 model. Using the convenience sampling method, 255 responses were collected. The data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2 software to investigate the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings reveal that website information, doctors’ services, performance expectancy, return policy, social influence, perceived reliability and facilitating conditions are significantly related to the BI to use ePharmacy services. Interestingly, the structural equation modeling results also confirmed that technology discomfort has no moderating effect on the relationship between BI and actual usage behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides theoretical contribution by extending the practical knowledge focusing on the relationship of ePharmacy, BI and actual usage behavior by using UTAUT-2 model – a relevant and unexplored issue in the easting literature, offering several research opportunities as the future avenue.

Practical implications

The result highlights the economic and social relevance from the perspective of a developing country. As people are showing their intention toward ePharmacy, managers and decision-makers need to take strategic decision to overcome any difficulties. Policymakers need to improve their services for the expansion of ePharmacy through different development projects.

Originality/value

This study advances past studies on the use of ecommerce in the pharmaceutical industry and provides a general understanding of customers in developing countries.