Contents |
Authors:
Szilard Szigeti, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7422-6166 BSc, MSc, J. Selye University, Slovakia Laszlo Jozsa, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6433-5107 Prof., Dr., CSc., J. Selye University, Slovakia; Széchenyi István University, Hungary
Pages: 60-70
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21272/hem.2023.1-06
Received: 22.01.2023
Accepted: 03.03.2023
Published: 31.03.2023
Download: |
Views: |
Downloads: |
|
|
|
Abstract
The present study focuses on the role of online (Internet) ordering, information seeking, and the importance of the information provided by health professionals connected with the purchase of over-the-counter medicines and food supplements. Our primary survey was conducted in April-May 2022 and received 216 answers from Hungarian-speaking consumers in Slovakia that could be analysed. The data collected through the questionnaire was examined using statistical analysis and calculations. The data were organised in a single Excel file to facilitate our analysis and were processed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software for statistical tests – descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis, Khi-square tests (variables were in nominal and ordinal measurement level). Results were considered significant at a p-value<0.05 and a p-value<0.001. Results and discussion: As to obtaining information, its receiving in person at the pharmacy is essential for consumers. When buying OTC medicines and dietary supplements, personal contact with a person working in a pharmacy is important. Consumers who want to receive information about the use of OTC medicines/supplements regard it essential to receive this information in person at the pharmacy. However, consumers who desire to purchase over-the-counter medicine/dietary supplements outside the pharmacy do not consider it important to obtain this information in person at the pharmacy. There is no association between monthly net income and highest educational attainment and the use of over-the-counter medicine based on information obtained from an advertising campaign. The results show no relationship between the education, income, age group of Hungarian-speaking consumers in Slovakia and the use of OTC medicines based on information from advertising campaigns. Only one relationship was found between the age group of the Hungarian-speaking Slovakian consumer and the use of non-prescription medicines based on information from advertising campaigns. Conclusions: The results pointed out that although online OTC medicine purchases have gained ground, personal professional advice is important for the group of customers who buy products in person at the pharmacy. It is advisable for companies producing OTC preparations to focus both on consumers who prefer online ordering and those who prefer personal shopping. What is much more important is that the pharmacy staff is still an essential source of information, and they also help with self-diagnosis. From the sales perspective, it is important to maintain online trade as consumers demand it.
Keywords: consumer, marketing, obtaining information, OTC medicine, Slovakia.
JEL Classification: M31, M39.
Cite as: Szigeti, S., & Jozsa, L. (2023). Obtaining Consumer Information for the Purchase of Over-The-Counter Medicines and Food Supplements from Hungarian-Speaking Adult Consumers in Slovakia. Health Economics and Management Review, 4(1), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.21272/hem.2023.1-06
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
References
- Bicen, P. (2014). Consumer perceptions of quality, risk, and value: A conceptual framework. In Revolution in Marketing: Market Driving Changes: Proceedings of the 2006 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference (pp. 1-1). Cham: Springer International Publishing. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Burghle, A., Abrahamsen, B., Lundby, C., Rossing, C., Hansen, R. N., Nørgaard, L. S., & Pottegard, A. (2020). Customers’ information seeking behavior prior to community pharmacy visits: A community pharmacy survey. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16(10), 1442-1446. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cîrstea, S. D., Moldovan-Teselios, C., & Iancu, A. I. (2017). Analysis of factors that influence OTC purchasing behavior. In International Conference on Advancements of Medicine and Health Care through Technology; 12th-15th October 2016, Cluj-Napoca, Romania: MEDITECH 2016 (pp. 303-308). Springer International Publishing. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cvirik, M. (2020). Health conscious consumer behaviour: The impact of a pandemic on the case of Slovakia. Central European Business Review, 9(4), 45-58. [Google Scholar]
- Cvirik, M. (2021). Is Health Consciousness Important at the Time of Coronavirus? The Case of Slovakia and Hungary. Central European Business Review, 10(4), 83-97. [Google Scholar]
- Erzsébet, F., Ibolya, F., Szilvia, S., Erzsébet, V., & Dumitru, C. M. (2020). Study of pharmaceutical competences among the Romanian population, based on an online survey. Bulletin of Medical Sciences, 93(2), 124-131. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Furaiji, F., Łatuszyńska, M., & Wawrzyniak, A. (2012). An empirical study of the factors influencing consumer behaviour in the electric appliances market. Contemporary Economics, 6(3), 76-86. [Google Scholar]
- Glover-Thomas, N., & Fanning, J. (2010). Medicalisation: the role of e-pharmacies in iatrogenic harm. Medical law review, 18(1), 28-55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hakonsen, H., Sundell, K. A., Martinsson, J., & Hedenrud, T. (2016). Consumer preferences for over-the-counter drug retailers in the reregulated Swedish pharmacy market. Health Policy, 120(3), 327-333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jantova, M. & Starchon, P. (2020). Postoje obyvateľov hlavného mesta Slovenskej republiky voCi vybraným témam reklamy. Casť II. Marketing Science & Inspirations, 15(3). [Google Scholar]
- Kennedy, J. G. (1996). Over the counter drugs. BMJ, 312(7031), 593-594. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kevrekidis, D. P., Minarikova, D., & Markos, A. (2021). Effects of Demographic Characteristics and Consumer Behavior in the selection of Retail Pharmacies and Over-the-Counter Medicine. European Pharmaceutical Journal, 68(2), 27-40. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lanyi, B. (2018). A fogyasztoi informacioforrasok megítélése az otc gyogyszerek piacan= Assessment of consumers’ information sources on the otc drug market. Közép-Europai Közlemények, 11(3), 105-115. [Google Scholar]
- Lombardo, S., & Cosentino, M. (2016). Internet use for searching information on medicines and disease: a community pharmacy–based survey among adult pharmacy customers. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 5(3), e5231. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Malik, M., Tahir, M. J., Jabbar, R., Ahmed, A., & Hussain, R. (2020). Self-medication during Covid-19 pandemic: challenges and opportunities. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives, 36, 565-567. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Masarykova, P. L., Lehocka, P. Ľ. & Ďurdík, P. T. (2021). Vplyv liekovej formy na výber lieku pri vybraných ochoreniach. Praktické lekarnictvo, 11(1). Retrieved from [Link]
- Memisoglu, M. (2020). Marketing communications for over-the-counter drugs and non-pharmaceutical products: the professionals’ perspective. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 13(1), 33-40. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Minarikova, D., Malovecka, I., & Foltan, V. (2015). Consumer satisfaction with pharmaceutical care in Slovak community pharmacies/Spokojnosť klientov lekarní s lekarenskou starostlivosťou na Slovensku. European Pharmaceutical Journal, 62(1), 25-30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nasidi, Q. Y. (2016). Luring the Undecided: Factors that Influence Purchasing Behaviour. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 21(11), 21-27. [Google Scholar]
- NCZI (2022). Spotreba humannych liekov a zdravotníckych pomôcok v Slovenskej republike 2021. Retrieved from [Link]
- OECD (2022). Slovensko: Zdravotný Profil Krajiny 2021. OECD Publishing, Paris. Retrieved from [Link]
- Stasa, P., Olivera, M., Ninoslava, D., Sonja, D., Radisa, P., Marko, R., … & Dusan, D. (2022). Analysis of the factors influencing consumer behavior in choosing of otc medicines. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica – Drug Research. [Google Scholar]
- Strapkova, A. (2007). Voľnopredajné lieky vo farmakoterapii. Via practica, 4(4), 162-164. Retrieved from [Link]
- Szalayova, A., Skybova, K., Kandilaki, D. & Szalay T. (2014). Analýza lekarenského trhu na Slovensku a v Ceskej republike. Vývoj za posledných 10 rokov. Health Policy Institute, Bratislava. Retrieved from [Link]
- Szigeti, S. (2023). Az allami és a magan egészségügy fogyasztoi szemmel Magyarorszagon. Egészségügyi Innovacios Szemle, 2(1), 14-22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]]
- Temechewu, M. W., & Gebremedhin, M. (2020). Factors Affecting Consumers’ Purchase Decision of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicines: Empirical Evidences from Community Pharmacies in Ethiopia. Journal of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, 65, 8-25. [Google Scholar]
|