Survey of Drug Selling over Popular Shopping Websites in Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To explore the sale of drugs through the popular online shopping websites of Thailand. Method: The researcher searched the top 10 popular Thai websites with the content in Thai language exclusively or partly, and examine drug advertising according to the Drug Act B.E. 2510. Subsequently, the investigator examined the drugs sold using drug registration numbers, trade names, generic names or other information appearing on the drug label to identify drug group, class, and registration status from Food and Drug Administration’s database of health products. Furthermore, safety of the drugs sold was examined by searching the database on safety alert of the Department of Medical Sciences. Results: Seven of the 10 Web sites selling products listed drug as their products. Each website specified a policy and requirements for product inclusion on the webs. The study found selling of unregistered drugs, modern medications and traditional medicines in 3, 7 and 6 websites, respectively. If classified according to the Law, the list of specially controlled drugs, dangerous drugs and household drugs was identified in 4, 4 and 7 websites, respectively. . The study found 278 drug items on sale with 39 dangerous drugs (14.03%), 2 specially controlled drugs (0.72%), and 45 household medications (16.19%) and 192 non-dangerous/specially controlled drugs or home remedies (69.06%). Drug item with large negative impact was antibiotics because it may cause irrational use and antimicrobial resistance. In addition, 7 drugs appeared in www.tumdee.org/alert of the Department of Medical Sciences compiling drugs with reported risk for consumers were listed in 6 websites. Conclusion: Thailand's most popular drug websites advertised or listed drugs for sale. The action was illegal and posed a risk to consumers. There should be risk management at all levels, i.e., the upstream level of the business owners and the Food and Drug Administration, mid-stream level of authorities at the regional level and, downstream level or consumer.