Customer profile analysis of the mail-order pharmacy MedicineGo using the example of the German mail-order pharmacy MedicineGo

Pharmacies in transition - digitalisation measures, connection to the telematics infrastructure and the oligopoly position of leading mail-order pharmacies. Not only meeting the technical implementations in the digital transformation, but also satisfying customers are important issues for public pharmacies. While retail pharmacies have access to data on their regular customers, we know little about customers of mail-order pharmacies. As the trend to order medicines online grows, mail-order medicines will take on an increasingly important role. It is expected that the planned introduction of electronic prescriptions in Germany in mid-2021 will lead to a further increase in online sales. The research question is: What does the customer profile of a mail-order pharmacy look like? Thus, this study focuses on an economic customer profiling of a mail-order pharmacy using the example of the nationally operating mail-order pharmacy MedicineGo. Based on the assumption that younger people between 18 and 50 years of age prefer to use the internet as an ordering medium, due to a more savvy use of computers, a quantitative analysis of empirical data will present essential market research data. In order to interpret the results of the quantitative analysis and to establish causalities, additional expert interviews with the MedicineGo administrator and other employees of the mail-order pharmacy as well as a qualitative literature analysis were conducted by means of qualitative analysis. By means of quantitative analysis, it was empirically shown that with regard to the customer profile of the mail-order pharmacy MedicineGo, 72% of customers use the direct web shop as a sales channel for their orders, the proportion of women is about ten percentage points higher than that of men, and the largest purchasing groups by number of orders are persons between 51 and 80 years of age. The quantitative analysis showed that older people (over 50 years) prefer to use the mail-order pharmacy, so another result of the study is that public pharmacies compete with mail-order pharmacies for the same customer group.

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Opportunities to Encourage Mail Order Pharmacy Use in Diabetes—A Qualitative Study

Diabetes ◽

10.2337/db18-2322-pub ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 2322-PUB ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JULIE SCHMITTDIEL ◽

CASSONDRA MARSHALL ◽

DEANNE WILEY ◽

CHRISTOPHER V. CHAU ◽

CONNIE M. TRINACTY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Mail Order ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy

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Mail-Order Pharmacy

American Pharmacy ◽

10.1016/s0160-3450(15)31713-x ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 22-25

Author(s):

Martin J. Jinks ◽

Lynette M. Evenson ◽

R. Keith Campbell ◽

Stan Bye

Keyword(s):

Mail Order ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy

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Duplicate Prescriptions of Inhaled Medications for Obstructive Lung Diseases

Pneumologie ◽

10.1055/a-1083-7961 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 74 (03) ◽

pp. 149-158

Author(s):

P. Kardos ◽

F. Geiss ◽

J. Simon ◽

C. Franken ◽

U. Butt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Diseases ◽

Fixed Dose Combination ◽

Fixed Dose ◽

Dry Powder Inhalers ◽

Mail Order ◽

Inhaled Corticosteroid ◽

German Market ◽

Metered Dose ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy ◽

Dose Combination

Abstract Introduction Inhalative treatments with metered dose aerosols and dry powder inhalers are the backbone of the pharmacotherapy for asthma and COPD. In the last decade many new and generic inhalative bronchodilators were launched at the German market, both monotherapies and fixed dose double bronchodilator (LABA/LAMA, beta adrenergic and antimuscarinic) or LABA and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and triple (LABA/LAMA/ICS) combinations. According to two surveys in 2015 among respiratory physicians we expected a high proportion of patients receiving duplicate prescriptions, e. g. a fixed dose new LABA/LAMA combination in addition to an existing ICS/LABA fixed dose combination. Methodology We searched the database of a large mail order pharmacy (DocMorris) to identify duplicate prescriptions of inhalative drugs for a patient by the same or by two or more different physicians during a 3 months period. Results Unexpectedly, we found as little as around 1 % duplicate prescriptions for the same patient. Duplicate prescriptions involving combination products were found to be much more common than duplicate prescriptions of different mono-products. Irrespective the low percentage number of all prescriptions we saw in just one large mail order pharmacy several thousands of erroneous prescriptions. Conclusion At least in the setting of this mail order pharmacy duplicate (i. e. contraindicated and potentially dangerous) prescriptions are relatively rare. Prescribers and pharmacists should be aware of the issue of duplicates – especially when prescribing or filling prescriptions with combination products.

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Model Regulations for Mail-Order Pharmacy

American Pharmacy ◽

10.1016/s0160-3450(15)31714-1 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 26-27

Author(s):

Sara Martin

Keyword(s):

Mail Order ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy

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Understanding Dynamic Engagement of Community in Local Governance, Enhancing Grassroots Development in South Africa

Journal of Education and Vocational Research ◽

10.22610/jsds.v10i1(s).2808 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1(S)) ◽

pp. 22-32

Author(s):

Andrew Osehi Enaifoghe ◽

Cotties Toyin Adetiba

Keyword(s):

Community Engagement ◽

Local Governance ◽

Research Question ◽

Secondary Source ◽

Grassroots Development ◽

Community Needs ◽

Community Interest ◽

Poor Access ◽

Basic Ideas ◽

Access To Data

The discourse on "Community engagement and commitmentâ€ is a critical subject that requires the interest of individuals within communities to fully participate in activities that address community needs. A meaningful citizen engagement reaches out beyond physical inclusion to incorporate the generation of thoughts and deliberations. In addition, it includes the commitments to leadership process in decision-making and the involvement of community members in the administrative responsibility. Among the elements that propel individuals to take an interest to participate in local governance need to assume a functioning role in bettering their very own lives, satisfying social or religious commitments feeling a need for a sense of community, and other quantifiable benefits. This study conceptualizes what community engagement, models, and frameworks is about and that can be used as a guide, to inspire communities in meeting various challenges relating to their interest in participation and cooperation. The study does not claim to cover all the accessible and significant human sociology on public cooperation literature. Qualitatively, the study gave an outline of the basic ideas that shed light on community participation, cooperation and commitment to duty and responsibility. As the study adopted a qualitative approach, mostly secondary source was consulted to address the research question. The findings show that the instrumental way to deal with citizensâ€™ concerns, with attention to results and adequacy is considerably more far-reaching than the more transformative method. Furthermore, people ought to review challenges related with gathering politicization of improvement and participatory structures, the absence of responsibility towards organizing community interest, the absence of limit capacity among partners, poor access to data or information, and inability to perceive and work intimately with community-based associations. It was then recommended that the community and different partners take part in the discussions that prompted the last record, as this is required by the South African Municipal Structures Act.

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Characteristics of Mail-Order Pharmacy Users: Results From the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190018800188 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 293-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Junyi Ma ◽

Li Wang

Keyword(s):

Family Income ◽

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Medical Expenditure ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Mail Order ◽

Panel Survey ◽

Sampling Weights ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy

Background: There is a paucity of research on the population characteristics of mail-order pharmacy users. Objective: This study utilized a nationally representative sample to examine the characteristics of mail-order pharmacy users. Methods: This study used data from the 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The outcome variable was defined as whether the participant had used a mail-order pharmacy during the study year. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors which influence mail-order pharmacy use. All analyses incorporated MEPS sampling weights to adjust for the complex survey design. Results: Among the 14,106 adults included, approximately 18% of them had used a mail-order pharmacy at least once to fill their prescription in 2012. Compared to community pharmacy users, mail-order pharmacy users were more likely to be white, older, married, have a higher family income, a higher educational level, have health insurance, and have a prescription with at least a 30-day supply. There is no difference in gender or urban/rural disparity. In addition, mail-order pharmacy users had a lower percentage of out-of-pocket costs. Conclusion: Mail-order pharmacy use was significantly associated with certain patient characteristics. Policymakers should consider these characteristics when promoting mail-order pharmacy use.

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Abstract TMP101: Mail Order Pharmacy Use is Associated With Greater Adherence to Secondary Preventive Medications and Lower Hospital Readmission Among Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tmp101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

William P Neil ◽

Chrislynn E Shiokari ◽

Raoul J Burchette ◽

David B Stapleton ◽

Bruce Ovbiagele

Keyword(s):

Medication Adherence ◽

Hospital Readmissions ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Mail Order ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adherence Score ◽

Improved Outcomes ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy ◽

Care Costs

Background: Mail order pharmacies (MOP) are increasingly being used to deliver medications for chronic disease management. Their use is linked to similar or greater medication adherence than local pharmacy (LP) use. Medication adherence is associated with improved outcomes, including reduced cardiovascular events, health care costs, and mortality. We are unaware of any studies that have evaluated the association of MOP use with medication adherence among stroke patients. Objective: To investigate whether stroke patients who use MOPs were more likely to have good medication adherence than those who used LPs and whether adherence was associated with 90 day hospital re-admission after stroke. Methods: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of patients discharged with ischemic stroke from 24 hospitals who received a new anticoagulant, antiplatelet, antiglycemic, antihypertensive, and/or lipid-lowering medication between 01/JAN/2007 and 30/JUL/2016. We compared adherence between MOP users (at least 66% of refills by mail) and LP users (all refills in person). Adherence was calculated by using the Continuous Medication Gap (CMG) methodology, which determines the cumulative period that no medication was available to the patient. The number of days for which the patient did not have the medication is divided by the number of days in the study window for that patient. A CMG adherence score of 0 meant that the patient had no overall gaps in their medications (perfect adherence), a negative number meant that the patient had more medication than days, and a positive number meant that the patient did not have enough medication for the days they should be taking their medication (poor adherence). Results: A total of 44,658 eligible patients refilled an index medication. Of these, 13,676 in the LP and 6,907 in MOP group met inclusion criteria. CMG adherence was 0.28 in the LP group and 0.11 in the MOP group ( p < 0.001). At 90-days there were 893 hospital readmissions for the LP group and 375 for the MOP group for a rate of 0.073 vs. 0.058 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Stroke patients who obtain medication by mail are more likely to have good adherence, and less likely to be readmitted than those who obtain medications from their local pharmacies.

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Changes in the Strategic Internal Control of Companies under Crisis Pressure

Trends Economics and Management ◽

10.13164/trends.2021.37.61 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (37) ◽

Author(s):

Lyudmila Mihaylova ◽

Emil Papazov

Keyword(s):

Internal Control ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Business Processes ◽

Manufacturing Sector ◽

Research Question ◽

Control Environment ◽

Competitive Advantages ◽

Online Sales ◽

Strategic Model ◽

The Impact

Purpose of the article: The article aims at presenting and analysing key changes in the strategic internal control of companies under the pressure of crisis phenomena. The research question is how to adapt the strategic internal control to an evolving crisis through inclusion of control environmental sustainability measures, and strategic model adaptation.Methodology: A qualitative approach has been applied along with the research of larger companies from the brewery sector and small-and medium sized enterprises from the knitted fabrics manufacturing sector in Bulgaria. The study has also taken into consideration some companies’ strategic documents, as well as interviews with companies’ managers. The gathered information has been systematized, compared and evaluated with the help of the “Relative (Competitive) Advantage Matrix” model.Scientific aim: Understanding the impact of changes in strategic internal control on management under the pressure of crisis phenomena.Findings: The analysing of the quasi-control environment and competitive advantages is an important strategic management issue during crises. Competitive advantages derive mainly from the characteristics of the product (or service) that make it better than the products (or services) of competitors and they are associated with changes in the strategic internal control of companies under the pressure of hard times.Conclusions: Strategic internal control has to be adapted to the crisis situation through control environmental sustainability measures, strategic model adaptation and selected competitive advantages. Business processes are changing as a result of crisis times, then the control environment, risk assessments and competitive advantages need to be more detailed and analysed in different aspects. At the same time, the strategic internal control in hard times faces unexpected results, such as a drastic reduction in the incomes, a decrease in retail sales or a drastic increase in online sales. Using the collected information, comparisons can be made to better outline similarities and differences that will point out ways for improvement. This information should be brought to the attention of the personnel of the companies. The change in the activities should not be delayed in time, since information quickly becomes out-dated.

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