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Buying unlicensed slimming drugs from the Web: a virtual ethnography

Buying unlicensed slimming drugs from the Web: a virtual ethnography
Buying unlicensed slimming drugs from the Web: a virtual ethnography
The aim of this study was to describe and understand the purchase of unlicensed slimming drugs via the Web. This paper draws on social theory, specifically theories used within criminology to inform the analysis of Web purchasing of slimming medicines. Virtual ethnographic techniques, including non-participant observation of three Web forums were used, along with interviews with key stakeholders involved in medicines regulation in the UK. This paper presents the findings from a thematic analysis of text obtained from the forums. These indicate that particular aspects of The Web allow a new route to purchasing unlicensed medicine and appear to circumvent some of the threats and sanctions associated with illegal drug purchases. Accessibility is provided to those who previously would not have engaged in such activities. It is suggested that this may constitute a new method of conducting deviant behavior.
Sugiura, Lisa
9ab913a3-5997-49d9-a944-b59a7b4e4e5c
Pope, Catherine
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Webber, Craig
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Sugiura, Lisa
9ab913a3-5997-49d9-a944-b59a7b4e4e5c
Pope, Catherine
21ae1290-0838-4245-adcf-6f901a0d4607
Webber, Craig
35851bbe-83e6-4c9b-9dd2-cdf1f60c245d

Sugiura, Lisa, Pope, Catherine and Webber, Craig (2012) Buying unlicensed slimming drugs from the Web: a virtual ethnography. Web Science Conference 2012, , Chicago, United States. 22 - 24 Jun 2012. 4 pp .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe and understand the purchase of unlicensed slimming drugs via the Web. This paper draws on social theory, specifically theories used within criminology to inform the analysis of Web purchasing of slimming medicines. Virtual ethnographic techniques, including non-participant observation of three Web forums were used, along with interviews with key stakeholders involved in medicines regulation in the UK. This paper presents the findings from a thematic analysis of text obtained from the forums. These indicate that particular aspects of The Web allow a new route to purchasing unlicensed medicine and appear to circumvent some of the threats and sanctions associated with illegal drug purchases. Accessibility is provided to those who previously would not have engaged in such activities. It is suggested that this may constitute a new method of conducting deviant behavior.

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Web_sci_12_submission_FINAL.pdf - Accepted Manuscript
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Web_sci_12_CP.pptx-1.pptx - Other
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More information

Published date: 23 June 2012
Venue - Dates: Web Science Conference 2012, , Chicago, United States, 2012-06-22 - 2012-06-24
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences, Electronics & Computer Science, Social Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 340989
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/340989
PURE UUID: 1aa7a9d0-7f60-4d73-9cfe-88e6decb69cc
ORCID for Catherine Pope: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8935-6702
ORCID for Craig Webber: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3900-7579

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 12 Jul 2012 08:14
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:05

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Contributors

Author: Lisa Sugiura
Author: Catherine Pope ORCID iD
Author: Craig Webber ORCID iD

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