Title: Understand the Use of online pharmacy applications

1.     Introduction

With the ease and accessibility of ordering prescription medications and healthcare supplies from
home, online pharmacy applications have grown in popularity in recent years. In the context of
healthcare, it is crucial to comprehend the consequences and importance of these applications. Why
is it important for us to learn more about online pharmacy applications? How does their usage
affect the way healthcare is provided? What are the possible advantages and dangers of using them?
The answers to these queries will help people comprehend the relevance and significance of learning
online pharmacy apps, according to (Aungst et al., 2015).

Numerous online pharmacy programs provide a variety of services, such as virtual consultations with
qualified healthcare professionals, medication reminders, requests for prescription refills, and
medicine home delivery. However, using online pharmacy applications requires caution because not
all of them may be reliable or secure.

2.     Literature review

Appraisal of Prior Work on Online Pharmacy Applications

Riantini (2017) examine an appraisal of the prior work on online pharmacy applications. The
evaluation emphasizes the applications' potential advantages and disadvantages as well as their
implications for healthcare delivery. Numerous studies highlight the accessibility and convenience
provided by online pharmacy applications, which include offerings like virtual consultations, pill
reminders, and home delivery of medications. However, the evaluation also recognizes the necessity
of exercising caution while utilizing these applications, especially with regard to dependability
and security. In order to protect patient privacy and safety, the literature highlights the
changing role of technology in pharmacy practice as well as the necessity for laws, legislation,
and training. Overall, the literature synthesis offers insightful information on the importance and
usefulness of online pharmacy apps in enhancing healthcare services.

Pharmacy Students' Attitudes Towards Mobile Health Apps and Motivational Interviewing

Owensby et al. (2017) evaluate how pharmacy students feel about the value of mobile health apps and
motivational interviewing for patient counseling. To determine the attitudes and opinions of the
students about these strategies and their possible influence on future pharmacy practice, the
authors conducted a survey. According to the study, students were found to have a favorable
attitude toward motivational interviewing and mobile health applications and be aware of their
potential to enhance patient outcomes and boost medication adherence. The research offers insights
into how pharmacy students evaluate patient counseling techniques, including motivational
interviewing and mobile health applications, as well as their potential applicability in future
pharmacy practice.

Patients-Pharmacists Interactive Communication System

Tsuruoka et al. (2013) established the Patients-Pharmacists Interactive Communication System
(PPICS), an online platform designed to decrease medication mistakes and increase patient adherence
to treatment programs. Through a web-based application, the system enables patients to communicate
with pharmacists for pharmaceutical support, including reminders for refills and education.
According to Spanakis et al. (2019), compliance with patients' medications may be tracked by
pharmacists, who can also provide tailored suggestions. The user-friendliness of the PPICS and the
importance patients put on remote pharmacist help were both made clear by the pilot experiment,
which involved 30 patients. The PPICS has the potential to increase drug adherence, enhance patient
outcomes, and lower healthcare expenditures related to non-adherence, according to the authors'
findings.

The Impact of Mobile Technology on Pharmaceutical Practice

Van de Pol et al. (2019) examine the effect of mobile technology on pharmaceutical practice. They
emphasized the numerous functions of mobile devices used by pharmacists, including access to drug
information databases, communication with patients and healthcare providers, management of
prescription orders, and medication counseling. The study highlights the benefits of mobile devices
in terms of boosted productivity, superior patient outcomes, and improved medication adherence.
However, the authors also discussed the possible hazards, such as privacy and security issues, the
requirement for appropriate training, and the significance of usage constraints. This study
clarified the expanding relevance of mobile devices in improving patient care as well as the
changing function they play in pharmacy practice.

Spanakis et al. (2019) describe the platform's features and capabilities, such as medication
management, drug interactions, side effect monitoring, and contact with healthcare practitioners.
Through individualized medication management and education, the platform is intended to support
patient-centered care and enhance drug adherence. The article offers perceptions on the creation of
an eHealth platform for individualized pharmaceutical treatment.

3.     Conclusion

The literature analysis makes it clear that applications for online pharmacies have a big impact on
healthcare. These applications offer services that enhance patient outcomes and medication
adherence, including prescription reminders, virtual consultations with licensed healthcare
experts, and home delivery of prescriptions. The employment of online pharmacy programs must be
done so cautiously, nevertheless. The research emphasizes how crucial it is to carefully evaluate
the security and dependability of these apps in order to protect patient privacy. By taking into
account the insights from the literature, it is evident that the responsible use of online pharmacy
apps may significantly improve healthcare, but it necessitates a rigorous assessment of the apps'
credibility and adherence to regulatory norms. The key takeaway from the literature analysis is
that, even though online pharmacy software has many benefits, consumers must exercise caution when
choosing reliable and safe platforms. By doing this, users may take advantage of the potential
advantages of these applications while reducing any hazards.


4. Resources

Aungst, T. D., Miranda, A. C., & Serag-Bolos, E. S. (2015). How mobile devices are changing
pharmacy practice. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 72(6), 494–500.
https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp140139

Owensby, J. K., & Kavookjian, J. (2017). Pharmacy students’ perceptions of the usefulness of
motivational interviewing and the use of mobile health applications on patient counseling in the
future. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 9(4), 568–575.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2017.03.019

Riantini, R. E. (2020, August 1). How Pharmaceutical Consumers in Jakarta Adopt New Marketing
Technology: Digital Pharmacy Mobile Application. IEEE Xplore.
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIMTech50083.2020.9211215

Spanakis, M., Sfakianakis, S., Kallergis, G., Spanakis, E. G., & Sakkalis, V. (2019). PharmActa:
Personalized pharmaceutical care eHealth platform for patients and pharmacists. Journal of
Biomedical Informatics, 100, 103336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2019.103336

Tsuruoka, K., Toda, T., Ozaki, S., & Ideguchi, N. (2013, October 1). Patients-pharmacists
interactive communication system for remote medication support. IEEE Xplore.
https://doi.org/10.1109/BMEiCon.2013.6687675

van de Pol, J. M., Geljon, J. G., Belitser, S. V., Frederix, G. W. J., Hövels, A. M., & Bouvy, M.
L. (2019). Pharmacy in transition: A work sampling study of community pharmacists using smartphone
technology. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 15(1), 70–76.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.03.004