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Effect of Infodemic Regarding the Illegal Sale of Medications on the Internet: Evaluation of Demand and Online Availability of Ivermectin during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • András Fittler

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Pécs, Rókus Street 2, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Latifat Adeniye

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Pécs, Rókus Street 2, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Zoltán Katz

    (Department of Operational Medicine, University of Pécs, Medical School, Szigeti Street 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

  • Richárd Bella

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Pécs, Rókus Street 2, 7624 Pécs, Hungary)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic generated confusion and increased demand of various pharmaceuticals, ushering in the opportunity for illicit online vendors to fill a gap in the marketplace using potentially dangerous products. The aim of our study is to provide evidence regarding increased demand, online availability and consumer accessibility of ivermectin, an anthelmintic agent, without substantiated indications in reference to SARS-CoV-2. In our study, we combined infodemiology methodology aligned with search engine result assessment and website analytics to evaluate patient safety risks. Users’ Google queries regarding ivermectin were trending and peaked during the last week of November 2020 and March 2021. Consumers more likely found links leading directly or indirectly (via redirection) to illegal online retailers representing nearly half (53.3%) of search engine result links regarding the first three result pages in December 2020 and topped off at 73.3% by March 2021. Illicit medicine retailers outnumbered and outranked their legitimate counterparts and dominated the first search engine results page. A vast majority (77.7%) of the identified online pharmacies were characteristically rogue; more than half (55.5%) offered prescription-only products without a valid medical prescription. Our results illustrate connection between infodemic and its consequences on the illicit online pharmacy market

Suggested Citation

  • András Fittler & Latifat Adeniye & Zoltán Katz & Richárd Bella, 2021. "Effect of Infodemic Regarding the Illegal Sale of Medications on the Internet: Evaluation of Demand and Online Availability of Ivermectin during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7475-:d:593522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, 2020. "Latin America’s embrace of an unproven COVID treatment is hindering drug trials," Nature, Nature, vol. 586(7830), pages 481-482, October.
    2. András Fittler & Róbert György Vida & Valter Rádics & Lajos Botz, 2018. "A challenge for healthcare but just another opportunity for illegitimate online sellers: Dubious market of shortage oncology drugs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yam B. Limbu & Bruce A. Huhmann, 2023. "Illicit Online Pharmacies: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-16, May.

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