A Study on the Necessity, Applicability, and Customer Profile of the E-pharmacy System

Adem Erik; Sakhi Mohammad Hamidy; Oya Hacire Yüregir

doi:10.21605/cukurovaumfd.1727095

Research Article

E-Eczane Sisteminin Gerekliliği, Uygulanabilirliği ve Müşteri Profili Üzerine Bir Çalışma

Year 2025, Volume: 40 Issue: 2, 325 - 335, 02.07.2025

Adem Erik , Sakhi Mohammad Hamidy , Oya Hacire Yüregir

https://doi.org/10.21605/cukurovaumfd.1727095

Abstract

Bilgi sistemlerinin ve Endüstri 4.0’ın yükselişi, tedarik zincirindeki iş modellerini sektörler genelinde dönüştürmektedir. Bu çalışma, Türkiye'deki e-eczane hasta profillerini değerlendirerek, ilaç satışlarının çevrimiçi olarak yapılmasının uygulanabilirliğini ve gerekliliğini incelemektedir. Türkiye gelişen e-devlet sistemi ve e-reçete uygulamasını hayata geçirmiş olsa da, eczacılar ve eczanelerle ilgili mevzuatta internet üzerinden ilaç alım-satımını yasaklayan düzenleme nedeniyle eczanelerin internet sitesi kurması ve çevrimiçi hizmet sunması engellenmektedir. Araştırma, COVID-19 pandemisinden iki yıl önce 389 katılımcıdan toplanan anket verilerini kullanarak e-eczanelerin hasta açısından gerekliliğini ve uygunluğunu analiz etmektedir. Hipotezler, T-testi, korelasyon ve ki-kare analizleri ile test edilmiştir. Bulgular, e-eczaneye yönelik güçlü bir talep olduğunu ve katılımcıların yalnızca %18'i bu sistemi hiç uygun bulmadığını göstermektedir. Çevrimiçi alışveriş, reçetesiz ilaçlarda daha yaygın olup, internet ve e-devlet kullanım sıklığı ile hastalanma sıklığıyla ilişkilidir. E-eczane kullanımının uygunluğu, eğitim düzeyi, yaş ve engellilik durumuyla bağlantılıdır; engelli katılımcılar arasında tercih daha yüksektir. Çalışma, e-eczanenin potansiyelini vurgulamakta ve gelecekte oluşturulacak düzenleyici çerçeveler için temel oluşturmaktadır.

Keywords

E-eczane, Eczane politikası, Müşteri profili, E-ticaret, Müşteri ilişkileri

References

1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Türkiye, https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat? MevzuatNo=19569,MevzuatTur=7,MevzuatTertip=5, Access ate: 18 March 2023.
2. Bawack, R.E., Wamba, S.F., Carillo, K.D.A. & Akter, S. (2022). Artificial intelligence in E-Commerce: a bibliometric study and literature review. Electronic Markets, 32(1), 297-338.
3. Bessell, T.L., Silagy, C.A., Anderson, J.N., Hiller, J.E. & Sansom, L.N. (2002) Quality of global e-pharmacies: can we safeguard consumers? European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 58(9), 567-572.
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5. Bloom, B.S. & Iannacone, R.C. (1999). Internet availability of prescription pharmaceuticals to the public. Annals of Internal Medicine, 131(11), 830-833.
6. Gallagher, J.C. & Colaizzi, J.L. (2000). Issues in internet pharmacy practice. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34(12), 1483-1485.
7. Winker, M.A., Flanagin, A., Chi-Lum, B., White, J., Andrews, K. & Kennett, R.L., (2000). Guidelines for medical and health information sites on the internet. JAMA, 283(12),1600-1606.
8. Official Gazzette, (2013). The Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health. https://www.tcmb.gov.tr/wps/wcm/connect/de4fb4cc-19c4-47fe-a9cb-9ef0397a 8923/1.+LAW.pdf?MOD=AJPERES, Access date: 15 May 2025.
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10. Wagner, M.L., Alonso, J. & Mehlhorn, A.J. (2001). Comparison of internet and community pharmacies. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 35(1), 116-119.
11. Crawford, S.Y. (2003). Internet pharmacy: issues of access, quality, costs, and regulation. Journal of Medical Systems, 27(1), 57-65.
12. Çağırcı, S. ve Yeğenoğlu S. (2007). Genel iletişim bilgileri perspektifinden hasta-eczacı iletişim. Ankara Üniversitesi Eczacılık Fakültesi Dergisi, 36(1), 31-46.
13. Gastelurrutia, M.A., Erauncetamurgil, O., Odriozola, I. & Ferna´ndez F. (2006). Customers’ expectations and satisfaction with a pharmacy not providing advanced cognitive services. Pharm World Sci, 28(6), 374-376.
14. Bu, F., Sun, H., Li, L., Tang, F., Zhang, X., Yan, J., ... & Huang, T. (2022). Artificial intelligence-based internet hospital pharmacy services in China: Perspective based on a case study. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1-10
15. Sun, Y., Hendrix, A., Muluneh, B. & Ozawa, S. (2022). Online pharmacy accessibility of imatinib, an oral chemotherapy medication. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 20(7), 808-814.
16. Lobuteva, L., Lobuteva, A., Zakharova, O., Kartashova, O. & Kocheva, N. (2022). The modern Russian pharmaceutical market: consumer attitudes toward distance retailing of medicines. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 582.
17. Gupta, M.S. (2020). Consumer buying behavior toward e-pharmacy. Dogo Rangsang Research Journal, 10(03), 183-190.
18. Sarkar, S. (2022). Online drug trade–a threat to pharmaceutical industry. International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies, 10(5), 15-20.
19. Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group, (2015). Making the most of your local pharmacy Wigan Borough Pharmacy patient satisfaction survey.
20. Panvelkar P.N., Saini B. & Armour C. (2009). Measurement of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services: a review. Pharm World Sci, 31(5), 525-537.
21. Hasan, S., Sulieman, H., Stewart, K., Chapman, C.B., Hasan, M.Y. & Kong, D.C.M. (2013). Assessing patient satisfaction with community pharmacy in the UAE using a newly validated tool. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 9(6), 841-850.
22. Yang, Z., Peterson, R.T. & Huang, L. (2001). Taking the pulse of internet pharmacies. Marketing Health Services, 21(2), 4-10.
23. Lapão, L.V., Da Silva, M.M. & Gregório, J. (2017). Implementing an online pharmaceutical service using design science research. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17(1), 1-14.
24. Fittler, A., Vida, R.G., Káplár, M. & Botz, L. (2018). Consumers turning to the internet pharmacy market: cross-sectional study on the frequency and attitudes of Hungarian patients purchasing medications online. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(8), e11115.
25. Dhale, S. & Singh, D.K. (2022). E-Pharmacy in India: an exponential growth opportunity. International Journal, 10(11), 8-13.
26. AlSideiri, A., Cob, Z.B.C. & Drus, S.B.M. (2022). Factors influencing the adaptation of online pharmacy in Oman: pilot study. In 2022 International Electronics Symposium (IES), 691-697, IEEE.
27. Pourasad, M.H., Norouzi, S. & Khajouei, R. (2022). Identification of content information and functionalities to design an online pharmacy: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Research in Paramedical Sciences, 11(1), e127328.
28. TJ, V.A., George, N.A. & Sivakumar, P. (2022). Perceived risk and online purchase intention of e-pharmacy: examining the moderating role of online trust in the Indian context. Special Education, 1(43), 9663-9685.
29. Bansal, S., Kaur, H., Mahendiratta, S., Sarma, P., Kumar, S., Sharma, A.R., ... & Medhi, B. (2022). A preliminary study to evaluate the behavior of Indian population toward e-pharmacy. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 54(2), 131.
30. Zheng, S.Q., Yang, L., Zhou, P.X., Li, H.B., Liu, F. & Zhao, R.S. (2021). Recommendations and guidance for providing pharmaceutical care services during COVID-19 pandemic: a China perspective. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17(1), 1819-1824.
31. Hammour, K.A., Abdeljalil, M., Manaseer, Q. & Al-Manaseer, B. (2022). Jordanian experience: the internet pharmacy drug delivery platform during the COVID-19. Health Policy and Technology, 11(1), 100596.
32. Indermitte, J., Erba, L., Beutler, M., Bruppacher, R., Haefeli, W.E. & Hersberger, K.E. (2007). Management of potential drug interactions in community pharmacies: a questionnaire-based survey in Switzerland. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 63, 297-305.
33. Fittler, A., Ambrus, T., Serefko, A., Smejkalová, L., Kijewska, A., Szopa, A. & Káplár, M. (2022). Attitudes and behaviors regarding online pharmacies in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: At the tipping point toward the new normal. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 23(13), 1070473.
34. Kilic, S. (2012). Sample size, power concepts and sample size calculation. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2(3), 140.
35. Kılınç, E. (2024). Comparison of feature extraction methods in high dimensional time series. Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 39(4), 991-997.
36. Öz, T. & Kuvvetli, Y. (2022). A decision model for examining the impact of industry 4.0 on the human resources departments of iron-steel production companies. Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 37(4), 1127-1142.
37. Yi, Z., Chen, Y.H., Yin, Y., Cheng, K., Wang, Y., Nguyen, D., ... & Kim, E. (2022). Brief research report: A comparison of robust tests for homogeneity of variance in factorial ANOVA. The Journal of Experimental Education, 90(2), 505-520.

A Study on the Necessity, Applicability, and Customer Profile of the E-pharmacy System

Year 2025, Volume: 40 Issue: 2, 325 - 335, 02.07.2025

Adem Erik , Sakhi Mohammad Hamidy , Oya Hacire Yüregir

https://doi.org/10.21605/cukurovaumfd.1727095

Abstract

The rise of information systems and Industry 4.0 is transforming supply chain business models across sectors. This study evaluates e-pharmacy patient profiles in Türkiye, assessing the feasibility and need for online medicine sales. Despite Türkiye’s advancing e-government system enabling e-prescriptions, pharmacies remain barred from online sales due to regulatory restrictions. The research analyzes the necessity and suitability of e-pharmacies for patients, using survey data from 389 participants collected two years before COVID-19. Hypotheses were tested via T-test, Correlation, and Chi-square analyses. Findings indicate strong demand for e-pharmacies, with only 18% of respondents deeming the system inconvenient. Online purchases were more common for over-the-counter medicines, linked to internet and e-government usage, and illness frequency. Convenience was associated with education, age, and disability status, with disabled participants showing higher preference. The study highlights e-pharmacy’s potential, serving as a foundation for future regulatory frameworks.

Keywords

E-pharmacy, Pharmacy policy, Customer profile, E-commerce, Customer relations

References

1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Türkiye, https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat? MevzuatNo=19569,MevzuatTur=7,MevzuatTertip=5, Access ate: 18 March 2023.
2. Bawack, R.E., Wamba, S.F., Carillo, K.D.A. & Akter, S. (2022). Artificial intelligence in E-Commerce: a bibliometric study and literature review. Electronic Markets, 32(1), 297-338.
3. Bessell, T.L., Silagy, C.A., Anderson, J.N., Hiller, J.E. & Sansom, L.N. (2002) Quality of global e-pharmacies: can we safeguard consumers? European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 58(9), 567-572.
4. Henney J., Shuren J.E., Nightingale S.L. & McGinnis T.J. (1999). Internet purchase of prescription drugs: buyer beware. Annals of Internal Medicine, 131(11), 861-862.
5. Bloom, B.S. & Iannacone, R.C. (1999). Internet availability of prescription pharmaceuticals to the public. Annals of Internal Medicine, 131(11), 830-833.
6. Gallagher, J.C. & Colaizzi, J.L. (2000). Issues in internet pharmacy practice. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34(12), 1483-1485.
7. Winker, M.A., Flanagin, A., Chi-Lum, B., White, J., Andrews, K. & Kennett, R.L., (2000). Guidelines for medical and health information sites on the internet. JAMA, 283(12),1600-1606.
8. Official Gazzette, (2013). The Regulation on Pharmacists and Pharmacies issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health. https://www.tcmb.gov.tr/wps/wcm/connect/de4fb4cc-19c4-47fe-a9cb-9ef0397a 8923/1.+LAW.pdf?MOD=AJPERES, Access date: 15 May 2025.
9. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Strategy and Budget Directorate, (2019), Türkiye’s 11th development plan. https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/On_Birinci_Kalkinma_Plani-2019-2023.pdf
10. Wagner, M.L., Alonso, J. & Mehlhorn, A.J. (2001). Comparison of internet and community pharmacies. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 35(1), 116-119.
11. Crawford, S.Y. (2003). Internet pharmacy: issues of access, quality, costs, and regulation. Journal of Medical Systems, 27(1), 57-65.
12. Çağırcı, S. ve Yeğenoğlu S. (2007). Genel iletişim bilgileri perspektifinden hasta-eczacı iletişim. Ankara Üniversitesi Eczacılık Fakültesi Dergisi, 36(1), 31-46.
13. Gastelurrutia, M.A., Erauncetamurgil, O., Odriozola, I. & Ferna´ndez F. (2006). Customers’ expectations and satisfaction with a pharmacy not providing advanced cognitive services. Pharm World Sci, 28(6), 374-376.
14. Bu, F., Sun, H., Li, L., Tang, F., Zhang, X., Yan, J., ... & Huang, T. (2022). Artificial intelligence-based internet hospital pharmacy services in China: Perspective based on a case study. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1-10
15. Sun, Y., Hendrix, A., Muluneh, B. & Ozawa, S. (2022). Online pharmacy accessibility of imatinib, an oral chemotherapy medication. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 20(7), 808-814.
16. Lobuteva, L., Lobuteva, A., Zakharova, O., Kartashova, O. & Kocheva, N. (2022). The modern Russian pharmaceutical market: consumer attitudes toward distance retailing of medicines. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 582.
17. Gupta, M.S. (2020). Consumer buying behavior toward e-pharmacy. Dogo Rangsang Research Journal, 10(03), 183-190.
18. Sarkar, S. (2022). Online drug trade–a threat to pharmaceutical industry. International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies, 10(5), 15-20.
19. Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group, (2015). Making the most of your local pharmacy Wigan Borough Pharmacy patient satisfaction survey.
20. Panvelkar P.N., Saini B. & Armour C. (2009). Measurement of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services: a review. Pharm World Sci, 31(5), 525-537.
21. Hasan, S., Sulieman, H., Stewart, K., Chapman, C.B., Hasan, M.Y. & Kong, D.C.M. (2013). Assessing patient satisfaction with community pharmacy in the UAE using a newly validated tool. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 9(6), 841-850.
22. Yang, Z., Peterson, R.T. & Huang, L. (2001). Taking the pulse of internet pharmacies. Marketing Health Services, 21(2), 4-10.
23. Lapão, L.V., Da Silva, M.M. & Gregório, J. (2017). Implementing an online pharmaceutical service using design science research. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17(1), 1-14.
24. Fittler, A., Vida, R.G., Káplár, M. & Botz, L. (2018). Consumers turning to the internet pharmacy market: cross-sectional study on the frequency and attitudes of Hungarian patients purchasing medications online. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(8), e11115.
25. Dhale, S. & Singh, D.K. (2022). E-Pharmacy in India: an exponential growth opportunity. International Journal, 10(11), 8-13.
26. AlSideiri, A., Cob, Z.B.C. & Drus, S.B.M. (2022). Factors influencing the adaptation of online pharmacy in Oman: pilot study. In 2022 International Electronics Symposium (IES), 691-697, IEEE.
27. Pourasad, M.H., Norouzi, S. & Khajouei, R. (2022). Identification of content information and functionalities to design an online pharmacy: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Research in Paramedical Sciences, 11(1), e127328.
28. TJ, V.A., George, N.A. & Sivakumar, P. (2022). Perceived risk and online purchase intention of e-pharmacy: examining the moderating role of online trust in the Indian context. Special Education, 1(43), 9663-9685.
29. Bansal, S., Kaur, H., Mahendiratta, S., Sarma, P., Kumar, S., Sharma, A.R., ... & Medhi, B. (2022). A preliminary study to evaluate the behavior of Indian population toward e-pharmacy. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 54(2), 131.
30. Zheng, S.Q., Yang, L., Zhou, P.X., Li, H.B., Liu, F. & Zhao, R.S. (2021). Recommendations and guidance for providing pharmaceutical care services during COVID-19 pandemic: a China perspective. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17(1), 1819-1824.
31. Hammour, K.A., Abdeljalil, M., Manaseer, Q. & Al-Manaseer, B. (2022). Jordanian experience: the internet pharmacy drug delivery platform during the COVID-19. Health Policy and Technology, 11(1), 100596.
32. Indermitte, J., Erba, L., Beutler, M., Bruppacher, R., Haefeli, W.E. & Hersberger, K.E. (2007). Management of potential drug interactions in community pharmacies: a questionnaire-based survey in Switzerland. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 63, 297-305.
33. Fittler, A., Ambrus, T., Serefko, A., Smejkalová, L., Kijewska, A., Szopa, A. & Káplár, M. (2022). Attitudes and behaviors regarding online pharmacies in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: At the tipping point toward the new normal. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 23(13), 1070473.
34. Kilic, S. (2012). Sample size, power concepts and sample size calculation. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2(3), 140.
35. Kılınç, E. (2024). Comparison of feature extraction methods in high dimensional time series. Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 39(4), 991-997.
36. Öz, T. & Kuvvetli, Y. (2022). A decision model for examining the impact of industry 4.0 on the human resources departments of iron-steel production companies. Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 37(4), 1127-1142.
37. Yi, Z., Chen, Y.H., Yin, Y., Cheng, K., Wang, Y., Nguyen, D., ... & Kim, E. (2022). Brief research report: A comparison of robust tests for homogeneity of variance in factorial ANOVA. The Journal of Experimental Education, 90(2), 505-520.

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Details

Primary Language	English
Subjects	Planning and Decision Making
Journal Section	Articles
Authors	Adem Erik 0000-0001-6840-0586 Sakhi Mohammad Hamidy 0000-0002-7389-7352 Oya Hacire Yüregir 0000-0002-9607-8149
Publication Date	July 2, 2025
Submission Date	October 10, 2024
Acceptance Date	June 25, 2025
Published in Issue	Year 2025 Volume: 40 Issue: 2

Cite

APA	Erik, A., Hamidy, S. M., & Yüregir, O. H. (2025). A Study on the Necessity, Applicability, and Customer Profile of the E-pharmacy System. Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Dergisi, 40(2), 325-335. https://doi.org/10.21605/cukurovaumfd.1727095

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