World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON INFORMATION QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF INDIAN E-PHARMACY WEBSITES: RISKS, CHALLENGES, AND REGULATORY PERSPECTIVES

Kamalesh Iniyanathan, M. Naveen, E.V. Balaji, A. Subhashree, B. Sindhu, S. LokAravind, B. Swetha

ABSTRACT

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed the healthcare sector, leading to the emergence and widespread adoption of e-pharmacy platforms that facilitate the online purchase and delivery of medicines. In India, the growth of e-pharmacies has been driven by increasing internet penetration, enhanced healthcare awareness, and the demand for convenient and cost-effective healthcare services. This study evaluates the quality of information provided by Indian e-pharmacy platforms based on key parameters, including accuracy, completeness, reliability, transparency, and data security. The findings reveal significant deficiencies in the availability and quality of drug-related information, particularly regarding dosage instructions, adverse effects, contraindications, and drug interactions. Such inadequacies may contribute to self-medication, medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and other potential health risks. The study also identifies concerns related to transparency, including limited disclosure of licensing information and restricted access to qualified pharmacists, which may affect user trust and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, weaknesses in prescription verification processes were observed, potentially enabling the misuse of prescription-only medicines. Data privacy and security measures were found to be inconsistent across platforms, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive patient information. Although e-pharmacy services offer substantial benefits in terms of accessibility, affordability, and convenience, the findings highlight the need for strengthened regulatory oversight, standardized information quality requirements, robust prescription validation mechanisms, and enhanced data protection practices to ensure the safe, effective, and responsible use of e-pharmacy services in India.

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