Digital Healthcare Transformation: Assessing the Impact of E-Pharmacies on Accessibility, Affordability, and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: The rise of e-pharmacies has transformed the healthcare sector by offering patients increased access to medications. However, the impact of e-pharmacies on medication accessibility, affordability, and patient satisfaction remains underexplored, especially in emerging markets, such as Tamil Nadu.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the effect of e-pharmacies on the accessibility and affordability of medications as well as to evaluate patient satisfaction compared to traditional pharmacy models.

Methodology:

A structured questionnaire was distributed to 335 respondents in Tamil Nadu to collect data on their experiences with both e-pharmacies and traditional pharmacies. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and regression analysis, were employed to evaluate the data and test the hypotheses regarding accessibility, affordability, and satisfaction.

Results:

The study found that e-pharmacies did not significantly improve medication accessibility or affordability compared with traditional pharmacies. However, frequent users of e-pharmacies who were satisfied with the pricing reported significantly higher levels of patient satisfaction and were more likely to recommend e-pharmacies to others.

Discussion and implications

These findings suggest that, while e-pharmacies may not yet offer substantial benefits in terms of accessibility or cost savings, their potential to enhance patient satisfaction can lead to a shift in consumer behaviour. Policy recommendations include improving pricing models and increasing awareness to boost the adoption of e-pharmacy.

Conclusion:

This study underscores the need for e-pharmacies to focus on improving service quality, pricing, and user experience to fully leverage their potential to transform the healthcare delivery landscape in Tamil Nadu