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Quality Safeguards and Regulation of Online Pharmacies

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Author Info
Benito Arruñada ()

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Abstract

Using econometric evidence, this article confirms that distribution of medicines online is split into two market segments of very diverse quality, and identifies the factors that drive quality and quality assurance in this activity. Unlike fraudulent, ‘rogue,’ websites, which offer scant guarantees and usually sell just a few medicines without prescription, online pharmacies offering insurance coverage and linked to conventional pharmacies typically sell a whole range of drugs, require third-party medical prescriptions and provide abundant information to patients. It is shown that, where online pharmacies are allowed to act legally, market forces enhance quality, as private insurers require professional standards, and specialized third parties make a business of certifying them. Furthermore, older online pharmacies and those running conventional operations offer higher quality, probably because of reputational investments. Overall, this evidence supports licensing online pharmacies, especially considering that prohibiting them is ineffective against fraudulent sites.

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File URL: http://www.econ.upf.edu/docs/papers/downloads/595.pdf
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File Function: Whole Paper
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra in its series Economics Working Papers with number 595.

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Date of creation: Dec 2001
Date of revision: Mar 2003
Handle: RePEc:upf:upfgen:595

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Web page: http://www.econ.upf.edu/

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Related research
Keywords: E-Commerce; pharmacies; regulation; quality assurance;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
K23 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law
L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
L84 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Personal, Professional, and Business Services

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This page was last updated on 2009-11-27.

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