Illicit Online Pharmacies: A Scoping Review

This scoping review presents the extent and nature of the body of literature on illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) and identifies research gaps. Using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PsycInfo to retri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2023-05, Vol.20 (9), p.5748
Main Authors: Limbu, Yam B, Huhmann, Bruce A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Content analysis
Coronaviruses
Cost control
Counterfeiting
COVID-19
Data collection
Data entry
Database searching
Drug stores
Health care
Health Personnel
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Health Services
Humans
Internet
Internet/Web search services
Laws, regulations and rules
Marketing
Medical research
Online searching
Patient safety
Pharmaceutical Services, Online
Pharmacy
Prescription drugs
Professionals
Public Health
Research Design
Search strategies
Supply chains
Systematic Review
Websites
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Summary:This scoping review presents the extent and nature of the body of literature on illicit online pharmacies (IOPs) and identifies research gaps. Using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PsycInfo to retrieve relevant studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The search strategy identified forty-three articles that met the inclusion criteria. Ten themes were identified and categorized into five clusters: patient risk, healthcare providers, marketing and supply chain, public health and society, and policy and regulation. Research into these clusters has evolved over time and has focused increasingly on issues related to specific drugs rather than the overall phenomenon. Data collection has been dominated by convenience sampling, online searches, content analysis and surveys. Data analysis remains primarily descriptive. Gaps within the extant literature suggest an agenda for future research into regulation and enforcement; public health awareness and education; healthcare services; risks to patients and public health; patient-, price- and product-related issues; website design; social media promotion; and supply chains and logistics. We conclude that IOPs are vastly understudied and suggest an urgent need for further empirical and conclusive research.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph20095748