Assi, S, Thomas, J, Haffar, M and Osselton, D (2016) Exploring Consumer and Patient Knowledge, Behavior, and Attitude Toward Medicinal and Lifestyle Products Purchased From the Internet: A Web-Based Survey. JMIR Public Health Surveill, 2 (2). ISSN 2369-2960

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In recent years, lifestyle products have emerged to help improve people's physical and mental performance. The Internet plays a major role in the spread of these products. However, the literature has reported issues regarding the authenticity of medicines purchased from the Internet and the impact of counterfeit medicines on public health. Little or no data are available on the authenticity of lifestyle products and actual toxicity associated with their use and misuse. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate consumer and patient attitudes toward the purchase of lifestyle products from the Internet, their knowledge of product authenticity and toxicity, and their experiences with counterfeit lifestyle products. METHODS: A Web-based study was performed between May 2014 and May 2015. Uniform collection of data was performed through an anonymous online questionnaire. Participants were invited worldwide via email, social media, or personal communication to complete the online questionnaire. A total of 320 participants completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of the questionnaire showed that 208 (65.0%) participants purchased lifestyle products from the Internet mainly due to convenience and reduced cost. More than half (55.6%, 178/320) of participants purchased cosmetic products, whereas only a minority purchased medicinal products. Yet, 62.8% (201/320) of participants were aware of the presence of counterfeit lifestyle products from the Internet, and 11.9% (38/320) experienced counterfeit products. In only 0.9% (3/320) of those cases were counterfeit lifestyle products reported to authorities. Moreover, 7.2% (23/320) of the participants experienced adverse effects due to counterfeit lifestyle products. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, patients experienced counterfeit lifestyle products that resulted in adverse effects on their health. Although certain adverse effects were reported in this study, counterfeit products were underreported to authorities. Further public awareness campaigns and patient education are needed.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Internet; attitude; behaviour authenticity; consumer knowledge; counterfeit; effectiveness; medicinal and lifestyle products; toxicity
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	JMIR Publications
Related URLs:	Author
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2019 09:21
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2021 22:55
DOI or ID number:	10.2196/publichealth.5390
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11463

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