This paper investigates the growing phenomenon of providing drugs sales and medical services over the Internet via Internet/online Pharmacies. It identifies some of the benefits of Internet Pharmacies and discusses some serious concerns for regulators, governments and human society (due to the presence of many illegal online pharmacies). In addition, the paper examines how differences in regula...

BACKGROUND Effective management of minor ailments in community pharmacies could reduce the burden on alternative high-cost services (general practices, Emergency Departments). Evidence is needed regarding the appropriateness of management of these conditions in community pharmacies. OBJECTIVE To explore the appropriateness of minor ailment management in community pharmacies. SETTING Prospec...

BACKGROUND To evaluate medicine prices, availability and affordability in Brazil, considering the differences across three types of medicines (originator brands, generics and similar medicines) and different types of facilities (private pharmacies, public sector pharmacies and "popular pharmacies"). METHODS Data on prices and availability of 50 medicines were collected in 56 pharmacies across...

BACKGROUND The current financial crisis is pressing health systems to reduce costs while looking to improve service standards. In this context, the necessity to optimize health care systems management has become an imperative. However, little research has been conducted on health care and pharmaceutical services cost management. AIM Pharmaceutical services optimization requires a comprehensiv...

BACKGROUND In October, 2008, legislation was implemented in the city and county of San Francisco, California, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies. OBJECTIVE To characterise public awareness and perceptions of the ban on tobacco sales in San Francisco community pharmacies. METHODS A brief, anonymous survey was used to assess public awareness and perceptions of a ban on tob...

BACKGROUND Violence in community pharmacies in Ireland is thought to be common but underreported. The frequency and consequences of violence has not been studied previously. AIMS To establish the frequency and nature of violence in community pharmacies over 12 months, and to investigate the impact of violence on employees and possible consequence for the industry. METHODS A two-part survey ...

Recent studies suggest that involving pharmacists is an effective strategy for improving patient adherence and blood pressure (BP) control. To date, few controlled studies have tested the cost-effectiveness of specific models for improving patient adherence and BP control in community pharmacies, where most Americans obtain prescriptions. We hypothesized that a team model of adherence monitorin...

BACKGROUND The use of medicines is an essential component of many public health programs (PHPs). Medicines are important not only for their capacity to treat and prevent diseases. The public confidence in healthcare system is inevitably linked to their confidence in the availability of safe and effective medicines and the measures for ensuring their rational use. However, pharmacy services comp...

BACKGROUND Online pharmacies are companies that sell pharmaceutical preparations, including prescription-only drugs, on the Internet. Very little is known about this phenomenon because many online pharmacies operate from remote countries, where legal bases and business practices are largely inaccessible to international research. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to perform an up-to-date and...