Development of an Online Database for Controlled Substances under Thai Law

Abstract

Objective: To develop an online database for controlled substances under Thai law that meets user needs, and to evaluate the performance of the developed database in terms of overall satisfaction, system usability, data quality, and user interface quality. Methods: This study employed a development and evaluation research design using the waterfall software development process. The researchers collected and analyzed user requirements, then developed an online database as a web application using PHP and MySQL. The database structure was designed following the relational model at the Third Normal Form. Data integrated into the system were sourced from standardized references, including WHO and DrugBank. The developed online database was evaluated by six experts in narcotic drug information and health informatics. Subsequently, it was submitted to a sample group of 48 participants, comprising members of the general public, entrepreneurs, and government officials, for satisfaction assessment using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Results: The developed database functioned as intended and was consistent with user requirements. Expert evaluation results indicated that the system met all criteria, including data accuracy and system performance. User satisfaction scores averaged 4.82 ± 0.22 out of a maximum of 5. Conclusion: The developed online narcotic drug database operates as intended and meets user needs. It addresses the limitations of previous systems by enabling efficient retrieval of narcotic drug information. The system supports government officials in regulatory oversight and surveillance of drug proliferation and facilitates entrepreneurs in accessing information for legal compliance.