Research of the information security environment of pharmaceutical organizations in the context of the transformation of pharmaceutical practice

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the information security environment of the pharmaceutical sector (ISEP) amid the transformation of pharmaceutical practice in Ukraine.

The aim of the work was to investigate the classification of ISEP entities based on their affiliation with internal or external environments and to identify the influence of socio-economic characteristics on the perception of these entities by the pharmaceutical community.

Materials and methods. The empirical basis of the study consisted of a survey of 228 pharmaceutical sector specialists, including academic staff, employees of pharmacy establishments, and pharmaceutical companies. The survey was based on a questionnaire developed through a narrative literature review. Statistical analysis included the calculation of Krippendorff’s alpha coefficient to assess the consistency of opinions, bootstrap analysis to test the stability of the results, and the χ²-test to reveal the dependence of classification judgments on the respondents’ professional characteristics.

Results. A generally low level of agreement in the classification of ISEP entities was found, indicating a lack of a unified professional position. The highest level of agreement was demonstrated by academic staff (α = 0.55), whose results served as the basis for the final classification. The χ²-test analysis revealed that the classification significantly depended on respondents’ positions and work experience. The final ISEP model was constructed based on a multilevel assessment approach, considering general percentage evaluations, the stability of opinions within subgroups, and the results provided by academic staff.

Conclusions. The study revealed deep heterogeneity in the perception of ISEP structure among pharmaceutical professionals, highlighting the need to develop a shared understanding of the roles and functions of entities in the digital environment. The obtained data can be utilized to improve management strategies in pharmacy practice and to integrate information security principles at all levels of pharmaceutical care organization.