Every fifth resident of Latvia would be willing to purchase prescription medications on social media or online trading platforms, as well as on forums, if they could buy them cheaper there, according to the results of a survey by the Latvian Medicines Verification Organization (LMVO) and the SKDS research center conducted in January of this year, reports LETA.
The Latvian Medicines Verification Organization (LMVO) notes that 19% of respondents would purchase prescription medications on websites if the necessary drugs were cheaper than in a registered and licensed pharmacy in Latvia.
At the same time, the survey shows that 28% of residents would use prescription medications recommended and handed over by neighbors, friends, or colleagues, while nearly 15% would consider purchasing them if advised by an acquaintance, including an opinion leader who is not a medical professional.
Inese Erdmanis, the chairperson of the LMVO, points out that such results indicate a significant lack of public awareness and critical thinking, as acquiring and using medications of unknown origin can lead to serious health problems and financial losses. She emphasizes that the use of prescription medications is only permissible after a doctor's examination and the prescription of treatment suitable for the specific patient.
The LMVO reminds that in Latvia, residents can only purchase prescription medications in person at licensed pharmacies by presenting a prescription issued by a doctor or an electronic prescription. The organization explains that the only safe place to buy prescription medications is a licensed pharmacy, as only a legal supply chain guarantees the authenticity of the drugs. Each package of prescription medication is marked with a unique code, which the pharmacist checks in the Latvian medicine verification system before dispensing.
The LMVO survey, conducted in collaboration with SKDS, was carried out online across Latvia at the beginning of this year. It involved 1,005 residents aged 18 to 75.
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