Quality of medication information available on retail pharmacy Web sites.
BACKGROUND
The Internet is becoming an important source for medication information. Although the quality of consumer medication information (CMI) in brick and mortar pharmacies has been reported to be suboptimal, little is known about the quality of CMI offered by pharmacy Web sites.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality, readability, and provision of Web functionality of 4 popular medications (atenolol, nitroglycerin, atorvastatin, and glyburide) available on the websites of 3 of the largest retail pharmacies: Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and Rite Aid.


METHODS
The quality of online medication information was evaluated by 2 reviewers using a preexisting evaluation instrument created by a national panel of experts. Readability level was assessed using the Gunning Fog Test. We also assessed the presence of 4 Web-specific functional criteria: (1) capability for font enlargement, (2) availability of a glossary of terms, (3) presence of an "Ask a pharmacist" feature, and (4) access to detailed medication information or full prescribing information.


RESULTS
Overall, medication information was 77% adherent to the criteria evaluated. When broken down by drug, CMI was most adherent for atorvastatin (83%), followed by glyburide (77%), atenolol (76%), and nitroglycerin (75%). The average readability level was found to be 10th grade. No pharmacy Web site provided the ability for font enlargement, a glossary of terms, or access to detailed medication information; however, all pharmacy Web sites provided an "Ask a pharmacist" service.


CONCLUSIONS
Although pharmacy Web sites were found to have an overall good content quality, the high readability level of text, areas of incomplete information, and limited use of desirable Web functionality suggest room for improvement.
Ghoshal
Malini
M
RxLogic Inc., 2314 Dorrington Street #E, Houston, TX 77030, USA. malini@rxlogic.com
Walji
Muhammad F
MF
D032882:Comprehension; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004348:Drug Labeling; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010595:Pharmacists; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012107:Research Design