International Journal of Health, Engineering and Technology
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): Vol 5. No. 2 JULY 2026

Analysis Of Generation Z’s Online Medication Purchasing Behavior

Restu Saputra (a:1:{s:5:"en_US"
s:106:"Faculty of Military Pharmacy, Defense University of the Republic of Indonesia, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia"
})

Budi Sumaryono (Faculty of Military Pharmacy, Defense University of the Republic of Indonesia, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 Jul 2026

Abstract

The digital age has transformed the way Generation Z (Gen Z) accesses healthcare services, including obtaining medications. The phenomenon of “kereta kuning” purchasing medications through e-commerce platforms and social media has become a significant trend due to its convenience, privacy, and competitive prices. However, this convenience poses serious health risks. This article aims to provide a narrative review of online medication purchasing behavior among Gen Z and its impact on patient safety. We conducted a literature review by collecting scientific journals from leading platforms such as Google Scholar, CrossRef, and PubMed in English. Analysis of the literature reveals that low digital health literacy and a tendency to self-diagnose based on viral content are driving Gen Z to consume prescription medications without medical supervision. Key risks include the circulation of substandard or counterfeit drugs, a lack of accurate dosage information, and the absence of pharmacists in clinical screening. Although digital access offers efficiency, without strict regulations and adaptive education tailored to Gen Z’s lifestyle, this trend could become a public health “disaster” in the future.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijhet

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Dentistry Engineering Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Mechanical Engineering Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health Veterinary

Description

International Journal of Health, Engineering and Technology (IJHET) is to provide research media and an important reference for the progress and dissemination of research results that support high-level research in the field of Health, Engineering and technology. Original theoretical work and ...