Anne Estrup Olesen, Jacob Herrig Simonsen, Susanne Storm Madsen, Rikke Nørgaard Hansen, Ann Lykkegaard Sørensen
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Online pharmacies have emerged as a novel method for procuring reimbursable medicines. The study aimed to compare consumers' patterns of reimbursable prescription medications between online-only and community pharmacies in The North Denmark Region which is one of five regions in Denmark.
Method: The retrospective study used registered data for all reimbursable medicine prescriptions from pharmacies in 2022 across Denmark but specifically retrieved from patients residing in The North Denmark Region.
Key findings: In 2022, 4414 and 395 438 patients obtained reimbursable medicines from 2 online-only and 240 community pharmacies, respectively. The age distribution of patients using online-only pharmacies was significantly different from community pharmacies (P < .001) as the proportion of patients in age groups 30-69 years was higher for online-only pharmacies. Whereas patients above the age of 70 were more likely to fill prescriptions from community pharmacies. The gender distribution of patients using online-only pharmacies was different from community pharmacies (P < .001) as a higher proportion of females filled prescriptions from online-only pharmacies. The distribution of patients' living areas differed between the two types of pharmacies (P < .001), where the proportion of patients from metropolitan municipalities was higher at online-only pharmacies. The distribution of prescriptions by anatomical therapeutic chemical code differed between the two types of pharmacies (P < .001).
Conclusion: Consumer patterns were different between online-only and community. These insights may inform pharmacy owners, ensuring both online and community pharmacies meet public health needs effectively in the future.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP) is a Medline-indexed, peer reviewed, international journal. It is one of the leading journals publishing health services research in the context of pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, medicines and medicines management. Regular sections in the journal include, editorials, literature reviews, original research, personal opinion and short communications. Topics covered include: medicines utilisation, medicine management, medicines distribution, supply and administration, pharmaceutical services, professional and patient/lay perspectives, public health (including, e.g. health promotion, needs assessment, health protection) evidence based practice, pharmacy education. Methods include both evaluative and exploratory work including, randomised controlled trials, surveys, epidemiological approaches, case studies, observational studies, and qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups. Application of methods drawn from other disciplines e.g. psychology, health economics, morbidity are especially welcome as are developments of new methodologies.
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