The impact of the internet on community pharmacy practice: a comparison of a Delphi panel's forecast with emerging trends

Health Mark Q. 2002;20(2):3-29. doi: 10.1300/J026v20n02_02.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to forecast the impact of Internet pharmacy commerce on various stakeholders. A panel of experts assembled from a list of academicians in the social and administrative pharmaceutical sciences participated in a three-iteration Delphi procedure. Feedback from the aggregate responses of the panel was used to construct questionnaires employed in subsequent iterations of the Delphi. The panel converged to form a consensus upon a variety of issues. They forecasted the attainment of a 10-15% share in the market of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals through on-line purchases, the formation of strategic alliances among stakeholders in the drug distribution process, a shift in marketing strategies by brick-and-mortar stores, an increase in the prevalence of niching among pharmacy service providers and a subsequent growth in the implementation of cognitive services throughout the industry. With few exceptions, the forecast produced by the Delphi panel appears to be coming to fruition.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Consensus
  • Delphi Technique
  • Drug Prescriptions
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data*
  • Marketing / methods*
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Pharmacies / economics
  • Pharmacies / organization & administration
  • Pharmacies / trends*
  • United States

Substances

  • Nonprescription Drugs