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A challenge for healthcare but just another opportunity for illegitimate online sellers: Dubious market of shortage oncology drugs

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  • András Fittler
  • Róbert György Vida
  • Valter Rádics
  • Lajos Botz

Abstract

Introduction: Drug shortages mean a challenge to healthcare systems. Exposed patients or health care providers may seek alternative resources for these products online. The purpose of our study was to analyze the online availability of oncology shortage drugs at national and at international levels in 2014 and 2016. Methods: We tested the online accessibility of oncology shortage drugs by simulating the Internet search method of patients. Search results were evaluated according to operational, distributional, and patient safety characteristics. Results: In 2014 and 2016 all (100%) antineoplastic agents affected by shortages were available on the Internet without medical prescription. The number of relevant websites among search engine results has decreased from 112 to 98, while online vendors actually offering oncology shortage drugs for sale has risen from 66.1% to 80.6% within relevant websites in the two evaluated years. None of the online sellers were classified as legitimate or accredited by LegitScript and VIPPS online pharmacy verification databases. Conclusion: According to our findings shortage oncology drugs are widely available online. To manage shortages and illegal Internet trade national and international standardized shortage reporting and information systems, regularly updated Internet pharmacy verification databases are needed. As well, institutional procurement and medication use review policies are required.

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  • András Fittler & Róbert György Vida & Valter Rádics & Lajos Botz, 2018. "A challenge for healthcare but just another opportunity for illegitimate online sellers: Dubious market of shortage oncology drugs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0203185
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203185
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    Cited by:

    1. Yam B. Limbu & Bruce A. Huhmann, 2023. "Illicit Online Pharmacies: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Dubois, P.; & Majewska, G.; & Reig, V.;, 2023. "Drug Shortages: Empirical Evidence from France," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 23/07, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    3. Moureaud, Charlotte & Hertig, John & Dong, Yao & Muraro, Iago S. & Alhabash, Saleem, 2021. "Purchase of prescription medicines via social media: A survey-based study of prevalence, risk perceptions, and motivations," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(11), pages 1421-1429.
    4. Dubois, Pierre & Majewska, Gosia & Reig, Valentina, 2023. "Drug Shortages: Empirical Evidence from France," TSE Working Papers 23-1417, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    5. András Fittler & Latifat Adeniye & Zoltán Katz & Richárd Bella, 2021. "Effect of Infodemic Regarding the Illegal Sale of Medications on the Internet: Evaluation of Demand and Online Availability of Ivermectin during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-14, July.

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