[Assessment of websites with information on medicines].
OBJECTIVE
To identify websites with information on medicines and assess, using experts, their adherence to codes of conduct and recommendations by the WHO.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study based on an ad hoc designed questionnaire (performed independently by 2 reviewers). The websites were identified by the Delphi technique (35 experts).


METHODS
Websites with information on medicines.


METHODS
A total of 35 websites selected by the Delphi technique. An acceptable level of stability was achieved in the third round (interquartile variability; <0.05).


METHODS
Responsibility, transparency and honesty, authorship of the information, content review policy, privacy and data protection policies, updated information and accessibility. A descriptive analysis of compliance was carried out and the kappa coefficient was estimated to evaluate the agreement between assessors (Fleiss's Criteria).


RESULTS
The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), PubMed, British Medical Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of American Medical Association, The Lancet, Fisterra and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence stood out with an overall high fulfilment of the questionnaire. The updated information dimension was the lowest evaluation for the different websites.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of the web sites evaluated varied widely. Although there are several websites, which are detailed in the article, with high overall scores.
Pernett
Jaime Jiménez
JJ
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, España. jaime.jimenez.easp@juntadeandalucia.es
Gutiérrez
Jose Francisco García
JF
Tamayo
Clara Bermúdez
CB
Castro
Martha Milena Silva
MM
Tuneu i Valls
Laura
L
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004358:Drug Therapy; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations