To assess the availability of antibiotics for online sale and comparison of e-pharmacies on key characteristics influencing safe and rational use of antibiotics: an exploratory analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Growing antimicrobial resistance represents serious public health threat. With the increasing presence of online/e-pharmacies in India, public access to medicines has increased. Easy access coupled with lack of adequate and authentic drug information can undermine rational antibiotic use.

Objectives

The present study aimed at exploring the availability of antibiotics for online sale and comparing the e-pharmacies on key characteristics influencing safe and rational use of antibiotics.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months using the websites of 10 popular e-pharmacies in India. Availability of antibiotics for online sale was assessed in context of the National List of Essential Medicines, 2022 and WHO-AWaRe (Access, Watch, R

SUBMITTER: Kaur P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11481272 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature