Online Pharmacies Have Not Yet Been Widely Accepted by the Public: A Survey Study

Abstract

The growth and expansion of online pharmacies have significantly transformed the drug supply chain, driven by consumer convenience and new behaviors arising from the pandemic. This study aimed to examine community perspectives on online pharmacies through a survey. A questionnaire was distributed to gather the attitudes of residents in Ahvaz, a major city in southwestern Iran. A total of 384 participants took part in the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS. Results indicated that while most people were aware of online pharmacies, a significant number remained unaware of their existence. Furthermore, individuals often choose not to use online pharmacies for several reasons, including concerns about privacy, security, and lack of trust, as they prefer shopping in person at local pharmacies. Additionally, satisfaction with online pharmacies was lower than expected, with nearly one-third of buyers reporting unaffordable experiences with their online purchases.