Patterns of Prescription Medicines Sale Through E-Marketplace in Malaysia and Associating Factors
Abstract
Introduction: Self-diagnose and obtaining various health products via the Internet were extremely risky practices as it may increase the risks of patient injury or even death. Objective: This study aims to explore the patterns of prescription medicines sale through e-marketplace (specifically: Shopee) in Malaysia as well as the associated factors. Method: Cross-sectional study secondary data of 983 Advertisement Screening Reports (reported from 1st January 2020 – 30th June 2020) in Johor State were collected. Descriptive statistics using frequency, percentages and/ bar charts using Microsoft Excel 2013 were used to report on the patterns of prescription medicines sale through e-marketplace (specifically: Shopee) in Malaysia based on types of prescription medicines that are being advertised, registration status of prescription medicine that are being advertised as well as frequently violated Malaysia’s law related to prescription medicine by sellers on Shopee. Factors associated were explored by Simple and Multiple Logistic Regressions using IBM SPSS Version 22. Results and Discussion: 796 out of 852 (93.4%) prescription medicines samples were not registered with the Drug Control Authority, Malaysia’s Health Ministry. Hormones (62.6%, while sex hormones which were anabolic steroids showed the highest frequency; 58.3%) were the highest prescription medicines sold through the e-marketplace in Malaysia, followed by antibiotics, clomiphene (fertility drug), sibutramine (slimming pill) and prostaglandin and its synthetic derivatives (abortion pill) denote 4.8%, 2.2%, 1.8%, 0.4% respectively. The unregistered prescription medicines were found to be the highest to violate Section 13(a) of Poison Act 1952 which include 766 samples. Multiple logistic regression tests indicate that sellers who violated Regulation 7(1)(a) of Control of Drug and Cosmetic Regulations 1984 (Adjusted OR: 728.63; 95%CI; 194.69, 2726.96%; p = 0.000) have higher chance to sell unregistered medicines through e-marketplace compared to those who violated Section 13 (a) of Poison Act 1952 (Adjusted OR: 0.012; 95%CI; 0.002, 0.058%; p = 0.000), and Section 4B of Malaysia Advertisement and Sale Act 1956 (Adjusted OR: 0.060; 95%CI; 0.014, 0.260%; p = 0.000). Conclusion: The findings in this study may give a brief idea for improving the current practice in order to curb the freely illegal prescription medicines sale through e-marketplace (specifically: Shopee) without the supervision of professionals.