Background: During the past two decades, the internet has become an accepted way to purchase products and services. Buying medications online are no exception. Besides its benefits, several patient safety risks are linked to the purchase of medicines outside the traditional supply chain. Although thousands of internet pharmacies are accessible on the web, the actual size of the market is unknown. Currently, there is limited data available on the use of internet pharmacies, the number, and attitude of people obtaining medications and other health products from the internet. Objective: This study aims to gather information on the frequency and attitudes of patients purchasing medications online in a nationally representative sample of outpatients. Attitudes towards main supply chain channels, perceived benefits, and disadvantages of influencing online medication purchase are evaluated. Methods: A cross-sectional explorative study using a personally administered survey was conducted in a representative sample of Hungarian outpatients in 2018. Results: A total of 1055 outpatients completed the survey (response rate 77.23%). The mean age was 45 years, and 456 (43.22%) reported having chronic health conditions. The majority (872/1055, 82.65%) of the respondents were aware that medications could be obtained online, but only 44 (4.17%) used the internet for previous medication purchases. Attitudes towards the different pharmaceutical supply chain retail channels showed significant differences (P<.001 respondents accepted retail pharmacy units as the most appropriate source of medications while rejected internet pharmacies. were asked to evaluate statements regarding potential benefits and disadvantages about online medicine purchase based on computed relative attitude rate there is a weak still significant tendency toward rejection correspondence demographic factors usage behavior prospective drug was evaluated. who use more goods will be likely buy online. furthermore youth education determine medication behavior. conclusions: many patients in future. currently an increased risk buying products from illegal sites because these dominate global market. consequently improved patient-provider communication promotion campaigns are needed inform public safe pharmacies initiatives can directly prevent patient safety threats.>
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