1.1 Introduction
The dispensing of POM without a valid prescription may facilitate drug misuse by self- medicating consumers who may acquire inappropriate medications in inappropriate quantities with no regard for side effects or interactions with other drugs that they may be taking. The choice of self-medicating consumers to bypass seeking professional medical advice is often driven by arrogance or ignorance depending on their education status, family and cultural attitudes, previous experiences with symptoms or diseases and previously used prescription medicines that are stored at home (Pharmacyboardkenya, 2019).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In this day and age, more of the world has access to mobile devices and the Internet than ever before. Conventional times have seen the introduction of e-commerce which has enabled the buying and selling of a wide range of services and goods, including medicines, over the Internet. Without face-to-face interactions with health professionals, consumers can now access medications from online pharmacies that were previously only available in brick and mortar pharmacy establishments.
Advancement in information technology, changing consumer behaviour and the accessibility of the Internet has greatly influenced the advent of online pharmacies (CAK, 2019). By the end of September 2018, the total number of active Internet subscriptions in Kenya stood at 42.2 million and the reported number of mobile commerce transactions at 526.9 million.4 With the increasing accessibility of the Internet and the vast distribution of information it facilitates, the popularity of online medicine purchase is likely to grow.
Online pharmacies benefit the consumer’s healthcare experience by affording them with the advantage of convenience, ease of accessibility, greater confidentiality, competitive pricing, delivery at a suitable location and efficiency by reducing the time and effort of shopping (Orizio et al., 2010). Unlike traditional brick and mortar pharmacies, online pharmacies have no limits on geographic proximity (Orizio et al., 2011). Patients with limited mobility and those that suffer from chronic conditions can benefit enormously from online pharmacies (Schmittdiel et al., 2011).
In as much as online pharmacies offer numerous opportunities to improve healthcare, they also present various downsides. Distance selling of medicines may facilitate possibilities of misconduct such as the improper use of data; the dispensation of poor quality, adulterated and substandard medications; illegal advertising; and the purchase and sale of POM without a valid prescription from prior medical consultation with legally recommended prescribers (Mackey et al., 2016).
POM includes antimicrobials, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, antidepressants and narcotic analgesics (Pharmacyboardkenya, 2009). They are potentially harmful if not used as prescribed by licensed healthcare providers. As a safety measure, a prescription from a qualified medical practitioner is required in order to purchase them. The philosophy behind a prescription is that consumers are not skilled enough to make their own choices as to whether the benefit-harm balance of prescription medicines apply to them for the treatment of specific medical diagnoses (Pharmacyboardkenya, 2019).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Requirements for Prescription and Dispensing of POM Medicines.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the existing regulatory measures governing the pharmacy practice fail to address crucial aspects of online pharmacies and may, as a result, enable questionable dispensing practices such as the dispensing of POM to consumers without a valid prescription. If an online pharmacy allows consumers to purchase POM without asking for a prescription, significant shields are missed. Apart from the lack of a doctor’s assessment, a prescription is not reviewed as required by a pharmacist. The patient diverts the two professionals that usually inform patients on the proper use and dangerous side effects of drugs (Ashwin, 2011).
Additionally, the buying of medications online is treated as a matter of caveat emptor as consumers are tasked with the burden of assessing the suitability of medicines before making a purchase even though they may not have the requisite knowledge and skills to do so (WHO, 2011). In view of the characteristics of the Internet including its anonymity, its anarchic nature and the lack of physical human interaction, self- medicating consumers are more vulnerable to harm from acquiring POM online in a market lacking effective online dispensing standards and means to foster accountability (Buckley et al., 2013).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Requirements for Prescription and Dispensing of POM Medicines. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the legal challenges in the regulation of online pharmacies that dispenses POM.
- To examine the roles government plays in regulating online pharmacies.
- To examine how online pharmacies in Nigeria dispense medicines.
- To suggest appropriate recommendations to the current legal and implementation framework to prevent the illegal sale of prescription-only medications online.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there legal challenges in the regulation of online pharmacies that dispenses POM?
- How does an online pharmacy in Nigeria dispense medicines?
- What are the roles government plays in regulating online pharmacies?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: The distribution of POM without a valid prescription does not undermine the consumer’s rights to services of a reasonable quality and the protection of their health and safety.
- H1: The distribution of POM without a valid prescription undermines the consumer’s rights to services of a reasonable quality and the protection of their health and safety.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Poor dispensing practices by online pharmacies in Nigeria do not encourage the distribution of POM without a valid prescription.
- H1: Poor dispensing practices by online pharmacies in Nigeria encourage the distribution of POM without a valid prescription.
1.7 Significance of Study
The relevance of the study is that consumers seek to find out whether the legal and regulatory framework governing online pharmacies in Kenya is favourable and effective and; to identify its deficiencies if any.
The study will be beneficial to policymakers and the relevant government authorities as it could inform strategies aimed at improving the welfare of the public and provide reliable information to guide them in coming up with policies that will efficiently regulate the dispensation of POM online in a manner that guarantees the safety of consumers.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Requirements for Prescription and Dispensing of POM (Prescription of Medicine) Medicines in Nigeria Pharmacies.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Organization of the Study
Chapter one of the study, provides background of the study, stating the problem of the study and the research questions and hypotheses to be tested in the study. It also highlights the significance of the study and scope of the study.
Chapter two reviews related literature on the Requirements for Prescription and Dispensing of POM Medicines.
Chapter three discussed the research methods to be used in designing the study which will include research design, population, sample size and sampling technique, data collection and data analysis methods.
Chapter four presents the data gathered in frequency and percentage tables. The data will also be analyzed and research hypotheses will be tested with chi-square statistical test.
Chapter five summarizes the outcome of the study, draw conclusions based on the findings of the study and make necessary recommendations.
