A quick analysis in relation to the electronic commerce of performance- and image-enhancing drugs based on the infrastructure of the world wide web

Authors

  • Ahmed M. Lutfi Lecturer, Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v7i4.13977

Keywords:

PIEDs, illegitimate, search engines, e-commerce, social media

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: Performance- and Image-Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs) refer to all known forms of substances, that can enhance either the morphology or the physiological performance or both simultaneously. The exponential rise of electronic commerce (e-commerce) for PIEDs is a major public issue, for which control protocols are to be deployed.

Materials and Methods: It would be a waste of time and resources to track and/or shut down all PIED-promoting websites one by one. Cyberspace is vast; the PIED “product managers” will always adapt to surveillance-control policies over their illegitimate online businesses. A more rational approach would be to track, challenge, and tackle the same resources upon which PIED electronic commerce is based: the infrastructure of the World Wide Web (the Internet).

Results: Concerning PIED e-commerce, the main resources are Google and AOL (search engines); YouTube, Wikipedia, and Facebook (social media sites); and Alibaba, Amazon, and eBay (major e-commerce websites).

Conclusion: Illegal PIED e-commerce became a major public problem. The major drivers are the Internet search engines, social media sites, and major e-commerce websites. Effective protocols toward these resources would hinder any future progress of this illegitimate worldwide phenomenon.

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(4) 2016 88-93

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Author Biography

Ahmed M. Lutfi, Lecturer, Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad.

Anatomist, Dermatologist, and Information Technology Associate.
MD, PG-Cert (United States), PG-Diploma (United Kingdom), M.Sc. (United Kingdom)
Member of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)
Member of National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN)
Member of American Association of Anatomists (AAA)

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Published

2016-07-04

How to Cite

Lutfi, A. M. (2016). A quick analysis in relation to the electronic commerce of performance- and image-enhancing drugs based on the infrastructure of the world wide web. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(4), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v7i4.13977

Issue

Section

Original Articles