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A comparative analysis of consumers’ patterns of reimbursable prescription medications between online-only and community pharmacies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Online pharmacies have emerged as a novel method for procuring reimbursable medicines. The study aimed to compare consumers' patterns of reimbursable prescription medications between online-only and community pharmacies in The North Denmark Region which is one of five regions in Denmark. METHOD: The retrospective study used registered data for all reimbursable medicine prescriptions from pharmacies in 2022 across Denmark but specifically retrieved from patients residing in The North Denmark Region. KEY FINDINGS: In 2022, 4414 and 395 438 patients obtained reimbursable medicines from 2 online-only and 240 community pharmacies, respectively. The age distribution of patients using online-only pharmacies was significantly different from community pharmacies (P < .001) as the proportion of patients in age groups 30-69 years was higher for online-only pharmacies. Whereas patients above the age of 70 were more likely to fill prescriptions from community pharmacies. The gender distribution of patients using online-only pharmacies was different from community pharmacies (P < .001) as a higher proportion of females filled prescriptions from online-only pharmacies. The distribution of patients' living areas differed between the two types of pharmacies (P < .001), where the proportion of patients from metropolitan municipalities was higher at online-only pharmacies. The distribution of prescriptions by anatomical therapeutic chemical code differed between the two types of pharmacies (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Consumer patterns were different between online-only and community. These insights may inform pharmacy owners, ensuring both online and community pharmacies meet public health needs effectively in the future.

Source: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riaf003

Authors: Anne Estrup Olesen, Jacob Herrig Simonsen, Susanne Storm Madsen, Rikke Nørgaard Hansen, Ann Lykkegaard Sørensen

Institutions: Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, University College of Northern Denmark

Language: English

Topic: Pharmacy and Medical Practices

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4407087973