Abstract
The CoViD-19 has altered service delivery and posed challenges to e-commerce while also facilitated the online pharmacies presence. Online pharmacies improve the consumer healthcare experience by affording convenience, efficiency, greater confidentiality, and improved access to medicines. The objective of this study is to examine the perceptions of physical store pharmacists towards online pharmacies and whether their perspectives have changed due to the CoViD-19 pandemic. A cross sectional study took place during the second trimester of 2022. Data were collected via a structured anonymous questionnaire with closed-ended questions, encompassing demographic information and pharmacists’ perspectives on online pharmacies. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient yielded a value of 0. 70. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied to explore relations between demographic characteristics and pharmacists’ views regarding online pharmacies. Correlation between categorical and ordinal data was assessed with Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of demographics and their perceptions on their intention to create an online pharmacy. The statistical significance threshold was set at 0.05.The study sample consisted of 129 pharmacists, 71 women (55%) and 58 men (45%). The majority of pharmacists exhibit a strong affinity for technology. While all respondents recognize the benefits of online pharmacies, several remain neutral or hesitant about establishing such ventures. Looking ahead, a significant proportion of pharmacists who currently operate only physical pharmacies express positive attitudes towards creating an online pharmacy. The findings clearly indicate that, the onset of the CoViD-19 pandemic prompted a significant proportion of them to consider implementing an online pharmacy in a positive light. Pharmacists are expected to make decisions to keep up with technological progress and consider the online image of their pharmacies. As a result, they can benefit from all the advantages offered by online pharmacies while allowing consumers to choose their preferred method of purchase.
