Study Shows Internet Savvy Ages More Concerned with Medicine Safety
Graphic from PwC’s report, “Younger consumers are more concerned about the safety and quality of their medications”
A recent survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers found that people 18-24 had the greatest concerns when it comes to medicine safety.
Greater numbers of young consumers express concern about the quality and safety of their medications than those 65 and older. 73% of consumers under the age of 24 surveyed were worried about what they are getting when they purchase medication, found Pricewaterhouse Coopers surveyors in PwC’s “Top Health Industry Issues of 2014” report.
PwC found that as consumers aged, they became less concerned about safety and quality of medications. 70% of the 24-44 age group claimed to be “very or somewhat concerned,” while 63% of the 44-64 age group claimed the same level of concern, and only 58% of the over-65 group were concerned about their medications’ safety and quality.
PwC also surveyed the use of the Internet for health issues and found that more than 70% of people under 65 years of age use the internet for health topics, while those over 65 are only 58% likely to do so.
While online use for health is a majority practice for all those surveyed, online pharmacies are very likely to be a source for unsafe medication. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy October 2013 report states that 97% of the online pharmacies they tested are out of compliance with US pharmacy laws and practices. Medications purchased on the internet from sources that are not licensed in the United States have been found to contain false and potentially life endangering ingredients ranging from road paint, toxic compounds like acetone, to dangerous unapproved ingredients like sibutramine, which can cause deadly cardiovascular risks, and is a common substitute used in counterfeited weight loss medications.
Shopping for prescription drugs online does not have to be dangerous, however. PSM’s “Save Money Safely On Your Prescriptions From Online Pharmacies” offers easy-to-understand guidelines for protecting your health when buying drugs online.