E-DRUG: Is internet prescribing safe? (cont)
---------------------------------------------
A number of questions pop up when reading the abstract about
internet sildenafil prescribing. Those questions can only be
answered by the article. So maybe it is premature to ask following
questions:
- How comparable were the two populations with regard to other
diseases and drug use? Were the ones using the internet maybe
less sick or using less medicines?
- How come that 44% of all internet requests came from foreign
countries? How can you evaluate people who speak other
languages (I assume no translated questionnaires have been
used), and if the answered questions in English, did they
comprehend the questions asked.
- Additionally, how sure can an internet method of taking medical
history be that all relevant information is recorded, the client may
deliberately withhold info. which probably happens to a lesser
extend in face to face contact or practices where the patient is well
known.
- Last but certainly not least: how ethical/legal is this company (or
'practice') when it prescribes/dispenses drugs to people from other
countries?
- Just methodologically: how many reference patients were there?
Too many questions, I hope I can read the real article soon.
Foppe
Foppe van Mil, PhD, Pharm D. Pharmacy practice consultant
Margrietlaan 1, NL 9471 CT Zuidlaren, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 50 4094333. Fax +31 50 4090732. Email: jwfvmil@wxs.nl
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