Pharmaceutical Company Representatives Research Articles

Frequency of Interactions Between Veterinarians and Other Professionals to Guide Interprofessional Education

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency with which veterinarians interact with individuals in other health professions and related fields of work. Four thousand members of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) were surveyed. Demographic information was collected, and participants were asked how frequently they interacted with members of various professions. General comments were solicited regarding which professions veterinarians should reach out to in order to enhance veterinary health care and which professions veterinarians could interact with to improve human health care. The overall response rate was 18.6%. Demographic information suggested that the sample was representative of the profession. Frequency of interactions ranged from never to regularly, but for no group or profession was frequent interaction the norm. For practitioners, interactions with pharmacists, both dispensing and compounding, and with drug company representatives were most common. For educators, interaction with pharmacists and drug company representatives was also high compared to other professions, and they were also more likely to interact with laboratory technicians and physicians. For those in industry, interactions with laboratory technicians, physicians, drug and food company representatives, and public health officials were most common. All other respondents described their most common interactions as being with public health officials. The veterinarians surveyed cited a need for greater interaction with physicians regarding zoonotic disease and parasitism. Veterinarians do not frequently interface with human health care professionals. Those with whom practitioners have the greatest interaction are pharmacists and representatives of drug companies. Greater interaction may benefit management of zoonotic disease and parasitism.

Regulatory Review: How Do Agencies Ensure the Quality of Decision Making?

The Centre for Innovation in Regulatory Science (CIRS) Workshop on Regulatory Review brought together international regulators and multinational pharmaceutical company representatives to focus on best practices that underlie regulatory decision making, thereby facilitating the transparent, timely, procedurally predictable, and good-quality evaluation of new medicines. Participants investigated frameworks used by agencies, discussed challenges for regulatory agencies in making quality decisions, investigated the role of other stakeholders, and made recommendations of activities and processes that agencies and companies can consider to enable quality decision making.

Controlling the HIV Epidemic with Antiretrovirals

In the context of emerging evidence related to preexposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment as prevention, an evidence summit was held in mid-2012 to discuss the current state of the science and to provide a platform for consensus building around whether and how these prevention strategies might be implemented globally. Health care providers, researchers, policy makers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and representatives of government authorities, donor agencies, pharmaceutical companies, advocacy organizations, and professional associations attended from 52 countries. An international advisory committee was convened to identify key messages and recommendations based upon the data presented and discussed at the summit. The advisory committee further worked to develop this consensus statement meant to assist relevant stakeholders in taking stock and mapping out a route forward to enhance the HIV prevention armamentarium.

2561 – A national survey of physician-industry relationship in saudi arabia

Relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical & other medically related industries have received considerable attention in recent years. We surveyed physicians all around Saudi Arabia (SA) to collect information about their knowledge, behaviors and attitudes regarding their relationships with the industry. A cross-sectional survey that used a 47-item, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire, was sent to all accessible doctors in SA. The questionnaire was developed based on literature review, discussed between authors and reviewed by experts. The survey 600 doctors (physicians and surgeons), 15% of them were psychiatrists who filled in the survey. Preliminary results of only 15% of the total sample indicated that 40.9% (n = 38) of participants have encountered a pharmaceutical company representatives (PRs) at least once in their life. Psychiatrists were among the top specialties in accepting gifts and promotions presented to them by PRs. 4.3% (n = 4) of participants mentioned that PRs almost always offer a gift and promotion after every meeting. The most frequently mentioned gifts presented to participants by PRs are stationary such as pens or notepads (26.9%). Although 60.2% (n = 56) of participants had been educated about the ethics in physician industry relationships, 34.4% of participants accept gifts and promotions presented to them by PRs. The final results of this study will be ready by Feb 2013. It will be presented fully in the EPA 2013. The results of this survey indicate that relationships between physicians and industry are common and underscore the variation among such relationships according to specialty, practice type, and professional activities.

What do Libyan doctors perceive as the benefits, ethical issues and influences of their interactions with pharmaceutical company representatives?

IntroductionEvidence suggests that 80-90% of doctors in most countries across the world are frequently visited by pharmaceutical company representatives (PCRs). The objective of study to examine perceptions of Libyan doctors between August and October 2010, regarding the benefits, ethical issues and influences of their interactions with (PCRs).MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was circulated to 1,000 Libyan doctors in selected public and private practice settings in Tripoli, Benghazi and Sebha.ResultsThe major benefits of PCR visits reported in the 608 evaluable responses were; receiving new information about products (94.4%). The majority of doctors (75%) were not against the provision of gifts but were more comfortable if it was “cheap” (51%) and had educational value (51%). Doctors who received more printed materials, simple gifts or drug samples were less likely to disapprove of accepting gifts (p5]. Effective marketing can positively influence an individual's attitude towards a product and because there is an association between attitude, intention and behaviour [6], persuasive communication can generate a positive attitude and increase the potential for influence [7]. PCRs can accomplish behaviour change because they directly communicate with prescribers. During a visit they attempt to raise awareness of their products, provide product information and encourage a favourable attitude towards their company and product [8]. They employ verbal persuasion techniques and also provide other incentives such as gifts, free drug samples and sponsored educational events [2]. The provision of promotional gifts can be seen as a friendship building technique to reinforce the communication nexus between PCRs and doctors but it can also potentially erode professional barriers [9]. Contact between a PCR and a medical practitioner is therefore viewed by drug companies as a vital part of their marketing strategy and frequent visits, together with written promotional materials, gifts and other incentives, can help alter behaviour even if the initial attitudes towards a product were weak or unclear [10].

An evaluation of the emerging vaccines against influenza in children

BackgroundInfluenza is an under-appreciated cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children. It is estimated to cause approximately 20 million new episodes of ALRI in children annually, 97% of these occurring in developing countries. It is also estimated to result in 28000 to 112000 deaths annually in young children. Apart from hospitalisations and deaths, influenza has significant economic consequences. The current egg-based inactivated influenza vaccines have several limitations: annual vaccination, high production costs, and cannot respond adequately to meet the demand during pandemics.MethodsWe used a modified CHNRI methodology for setting priorities in health research investments. This was done in two stages. In Stage I, we systematically reviewed the literature related to emerging cross-protective vaccines against influenza relevant to several criteria of interest: answerability; cost of development, production and implementation; efficacy and effectiveness; deliverability, affordability and sustainability; maximum potential impact on disease burden reduction; acceptability to the end users and health workers; and effect on equity. In Stage II, we conducted an expert opinion exercise by inviting 20 experts (leading basic scientists, international public health researchers, international policy makers and representatives of pharmaceutical companies). They answered questions from the CHNRI framework and their “collective optimism” towards each criterion was documented on a scale from 0 to 100%.ResultsThe experts expressed very high level of optimism for deliverability, impact on equity, and acceptability to health workers and end users. However, they expressed concerns over the criteria of answerability, low development cost, low product cost, low implementation cost, affordability and, to a lesser extent sustainability. In addition they felt that the vaccine would have higher efficacy and impact on disease burden reduction on overall influenza-associated disease rather than specifically influenza-associated pneumonia.ConclusionAlthough the landscape of emerging influenza vaccines shows several promising candidates, it is unlikely that the advancements in the newer vaccine technologies will be able to progress through to large scale production in the near future. The combined effects of continued investments in researching new vaccines and improvements of available vaccines will hopefully shorten the time needed to the development of an effective seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine suitable for large scale production.

A European approach to clinical investigator training

A better education and training of clinical investigators and their teams is one of the factors that could foster the development of clinical research in Europe, a key objective of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). PharmaTrain (an IMI programme on training in medicines development), and European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN) have joined forces to address this issue. An advisory group composed of representatives of universities, pharmaceutical companies and other organisations met four times between June 2011 and July 2012. This resulted in a position paper proposing a strategy to improve and harmonize clinical investigator training in Europe, and including a detailed syllabus and list of learning outcomes. Major recommendations are the establishment of minimal and mutually recognized certification requirement for investigators throughout the EU and the creation of a European platform to provide a suitable course and examination infrastructure.

THE STUDY OF THE RELEVANCE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DRUG INFORMATION CENTRE AT A SECONDARY HOSPITAL IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

This prospective study was carried out in a state hospital , Sokemu, Abeokuta to determine the relevance of Drug Information Centre (DIC) to the practice of Health Care Professionals in the Hospital. A total of 120 questionnaires were administered to the hospit al health care professionals. Total number of respondents was 107 corresponding to 89.2% of the total population with years of experience in service ranging from 5 - 15 years. Eighty five 85 (79.4%) believed that Drug Information Centre was relevant to thei r professional practice, 12 (11.2%) believed that it was not relevant to their professional practice, while 10 (9.4%) were not sure of the relevance of the DIC to their professional practice. Forty three (43) (19.2%) respondents required latest Information on drugs, 25 (11.2%) required information on side effects, 29 (12.9%) on dosage form, 27 (12.1%) on dosage regimen, 12 (5.4%) on indications, 27 (12.1%) on contra - indications, 19 (8.5%) on brand names and 21 (9.4%) required drug information on all the lis ted areas. Forty seven ( 47) (43.9%) claimed that they obtained Drug Information from relevant textbooks, 74 (69.2%) from colleagues, 16 (15.0%) from internet, 23 (21.5%) from journal and largest number 102 (95.3%) claimed they obtained information from the Pharmacists who are medical representatives of pharmaceutical companies as well as from hospital pharmacists. Drug Information Centre was found to be relevant to the practice of health care professionals at a state hospital, Sokemu in Abeokuta, Nigeria. H ypothesis testing showed significant relationship of p<0.05.

Monitoring of equine health in Denmark: A survey of the attitudes and concerns of potential database participants

At present Denmark has no central database holding records of equine health and disease. Nor have attitudes to the establishment of a national database, and the concerns it raises, been investigated in a systematic way. The objective of the present study was to assess the attitudes and concerns of potential database stakeholders.Attitudes to participation, and the location, financing and management of the proposed database, together with any concerns it raises, were investigated in a questionnaire study of 13 potential stakeholder groups in Denmark (in total, 1581 questionnaire recipients and 717 respondents): equine veterinarians, researchers, veterinary students, animal welfare organization representatives, horse owners, trainers, farriers, representatives from authorities, ordinary citizens, and representatives of laboratories, and insurance, medical equipment and pharmaceutical companies. Proportions were calculated for pre-categorised responses, and supplementary attitudes were extracted from qualitative responses.Eighty-six percent of respondents stated a positive interest in providing data for the database; the percentage for veterinarians was 90%. Data contribution was regarded as feasible by many of the stakeholder groups; this willingness to provide data, however, depended on the implementation of a very user-friendly system. Requirements included an electronic, simple, and time-efficient data reporting system. Most respondents felt the database should be financed via horse owners through mandatory contributions linked to each horse. Disagreement appeared to arise over data ownership, accessibility, and location. These and other issues need further elaboration in order to find a solution that is acceptable for all stakeholders. It may be advisable to collect and store data in more than one database.

Retracted: The Relationship between Personality Traits and Sales Force Automation Usage: A Preliminary Study

AbstractSales force automation (SFA) came to cognition and officially gained momentum in the 1990s (Taylor, 1993). SFA provides salespeople with speedy information access, diminishing the time needed to prepare for calls and cutting down on the number of follow‐ups, particularly for urgent need of further information support (Taylor, 1993). This study attempts to look specifically at the “utilization–individual impact” link. In particular, the close link of the personality type of the sales representative to the individual performance usage of the sales forces automation systems in the pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan. This study provides insight into how the personality traits of the individual medical representatives of pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan could influence the adoption of innovative technology, the sales force automation system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Implementation of proteomic biomarkers: making it work

While large numbers of proteomic biomarkers have been described, they are generally not implemented in medical practice. We have investigated the reasons for this shortcoming, focusing on hurdles downstream of biomarker verification, and describe major obstacles and possible solutions to ease valid biomarker implementation. Some of the problems lie in suboptimal biomarker discovery and validation, especially lack of validated platforms with well-described performance characteristics to support biomarker qualification. These issues have been acknowledged and are being addressed, raising the hope that valid biomarkers may start accumulating in the foreseeable future. However, successful biomarker discovery and qualification alone does not suffice for successful implementation. Additional challenges include, among others, limited access to appropriate specimens and insufficient funding, the need to validate new biomarker utility in interventional trials, and large communication gaps between the parties involved in implementation. To address this problem, we propose an implementation roadmap. The implementation effort needs to involve a wide variety of stakeholders (clinicians, statisticians, health economists, and representatives of patient groups, health insurance, pharmaceutical companies, biobanks, and regulatory agencies). Knowledgeable panels with adequate representation of all these stakeholders may facilitate biomarker evaluation and guide implementation for the specific context of use. This approach may avoid unwarranted delays or failure to implement potentially useful biomarkers, and may expedite meaningful contributions of the biomarker community to healthcare.

Évaluation de l’application du calendrier vaccinal de l’enfant en médecine libérale

To assess the levels of primary care physicians' adherence to the 2010 French vaccination schedule against pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and pneumococcal infections in northern France. Two hundred forty-nine primary care physicians were questioned over the phone from February 15th to May 27th 2010. The total response rate was 61% (n=152): 43 pediatricians and 109 general practitioners (GPs). The conjugated pneumococcal vaccination was routinely proposed by 93% of the physicians (100% of the pediatricians and 90% of the GPs, P=0.02), and the recommended immunization schedule was correctly stated by 98% of the pediatricians and 70% of the GPs, P<0.001. While the pertussis vaccination was proposed by all the physicians, the recommended immunization schedule was correctly followed in only 46% of the cases (there was no significant difference between the 2 groups of physicians). As for the MMR vaccination, 1 physician did not propose it; 27% had correct knowledge about the MMR vaccination schedule (44% of the pediatricians and 20% of the GPs, P<0.01); 39% initiated an early MMR vaccination schedule for children in day care centers. The main source of their information was medical representatives of pharmaceutical companies, medical journals, and to a lesser degree, weekly epidemiological bulletins and continuing medical education meetings. The level of physicians' knowledge about the vaccination schedule in children was insufficient in northern France, especially for pertussis and measles. This can decrease vaccination coverage levels as well as its beneficial effects for children.

Doctors’ opinions of information provided by Libyan pharmaceutical company representatives

Objective: To examine the opinions of Libyan doctors regarding the quality of drug information provided by pharmaceutical company representatives (PCRs) during detailing visits.Method: An anonymous survey was conducted among 1,000 doctors from selected institutes in Tripoli, Benghazi and Sebha. Doctors were asked questions regarding the quality of information provided during drug-detailing visits.Results: A questionnaire return rate of 61% (608 returned questionnaires out of 1,000) was achieved. The majority (n=463, 76%) of surveyed participants graded the quality of information provided as average. Approximately, 40% of respondents indicated that contraindications, precautions, interactions and adverse effects of products promoted by PCRs were never or rarely mentioned during promotional visits, and 65% of respondents indicated that an alternative drug to the promoted product was never or rarely mentioned by the representatives. More than 50% of respondents (n=310, 51%) reported that PCRs were not always able to answer all questions about their products. Only seven respondents (1%) believed that PCRs never exaggerated the uniqueness, efficacy or safety of their product. The majority of respondents (n=342, 56%) indicated that verbal information was not always consistent with written information provided. Seven per cent of respondents (n=43) admitted that they did not know whether or not the verbal information provided by PCRs was consistent with written information.Conclusion: Doctors believe that the provision of drug information by PCRs in Libya is incomplete and often exaggerated. Pharmaceutical companies should ensure that their representatives are trained to a standard to provide reliable information regarding the products they promote.To access the supplementary material to this article please see Supplementary Files under Article Tools online.

A survey of pharmaceutical company representative interactions with doctors in Libya

Objectives: To examine the frequency of pharmaceutical company representative (PCR) interactions with doctors in Libya and review possible associations between these interactions and the personal and practice setting characteristics of doctors.Method: An anonymous survey questionnaire was circulated to 1,000 Libyan doctors in selected public and private practice settings in Tripoli, Benghazi and Sebha.Results: A questionnaire return rate of 61% (608 returned questionnaires) was achieved. Most respondents (94%) reported that they had been visited by PCRs at least ‘once’ in the last year. Fifty per cent of respondents met with PCRs at least once a month, and 20% at least once a week. The following characteristics were significantly associated with meeting with a representative more than once a week: age, gender (male > female), years of practice, being a specialist (other than an anaesthesiologist) or working in private practice. Ninety-one per cent of doctors reported that they had received at least one kind of relationship gift during the last year. Printed materials (79%), simple gifts (73%) and drug samples (69%) were the most common relationship products given to respondents. Reimbursements or sponsored items were reported by 33% of respondents. Physician specialists were more likely to receive drug samples or sponsored items than residents, general practitioners, anaesthesiologists or surgeons (P<0.01). Participants working in private practice alone or in both sectors were more likely to receive printed materials, simple gifts or free samples from PCRs than doctors working in the public sector (P<0.05).Conclusion: Libyan doctors are frequently visited by PCRs. Doctors, working in private practice or specialist practice, are especially targeted by promotional activities. An agreed code of conduct for pharmaceutical promotion in Libya between doctors and PCRs should be created.

Evidence‐based recommendations for the therapeutic management of angioedema owing to hereditary C1 inhibitor deficiency: consensus report of an International Working Group

Angioedema owing to hereditary deficiency of C1 inhibitor (HAE) is a rare, life-threatening, disabling disease. In the last 2 years, the results of well-designed and controlled trials with existing and new therapies for this condition have been published, and new treatments reached the market. Current guidelines for the treatment for HAE were released before the new trials and before the new treatments became available and were essentially based on observational studies and expert opinion. To provide evidence-based HAE treatment guidelines supported by the new studies, a conference was held in Gargnano del Garda, Italy, from September 26 to 29, 2010. The meeting hosted 58 experienced HAE expert physicians, representatives of pharmaceutical companies and representatives of HAE patients' associations. Here, we report the topics discussed during the meeting and evidence-based consensus about management approaches for HAE in adult/adolescent patients.

An international survey of reported prescribing practice in the treatment of patients with generalised anxiety disorder

Objective. To gain insight into the experience and practice of psychiatrists in the pharmacological management of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods. Multiple-choice questionnaire completed by 501 psychiatrists (representing a 45% response rate) from 18 countries, selected by pharmaceutical company representatives to attend a scientific meeting, through having an interest in anxiety disorders. Results. Use of screening tools, routine structured diagnostic interviews, and practice guidelines was infrequent. Over one-third of patients did not receive their initial psychiatric consultation within a month after referral. A total of 45% of patients had symptoms for 2 years or longer before being diagnosed and treated. Most patients had been treated with benzodiazepines before referral. 80% of respondents always or often prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 43% serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or pregabalin (35%) as first-line treatments. The most frequently recommended second-line treatments were SNRIs (41%) and pregabalin (36%). Concentration difficulties, fatigue, excessive worrying and pain were reported as the symptoms most difficult to manage. Conclusions. Patients with GAD have frequently been treated with benzodiazepines before referral to a psychiatrist. SSRIs were the preferred first-line treatment, and SNRIs and pregabalin preferred second-line treatments. Reported practice in this sample appears largely consistent with recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.

Minimum information about a bioactive entity (MIABE)

Bioactive molecules such as drugs, pesticides and food additives are produced in large numbers by many commercial and academic groups around the world. Enormous quantities of data are generated on the biological properties and quality of these molecules. Access to such data - both on licensed and commercially available compounds, and also on those that fail during development - is crucial for understanding how improved molecules could be developed. For example, computational analysis of aggregated data on molecules that are investigated in drug discovery programmes has led to a greater understanding of the properties of successful drugs. However, the information required to perform these analyses is rarely published, and when it is made available it is often missing crucial data or is in a format that is inappropriate for efficient data-mining. Here, we propose a solution: the definition of reporting guidelines for bioactive entities - the Minimum Information About a Bioactive Entity (MIABE) - which has been developed by representatives of pharmaceutical companies, data resource providers and academic groups.

English

This study began with an extensive literature review combined with a quantitative study and personality trait testing and involves the medical sales representatives of several multinational pharmaceutical companies which are members of the Taiwan Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management Association (TPMMA). Their sales forces range from 50 to 200 and all used automation systems in their daily sales operation. These systems were not the same for all companies, since they developed systems independently of one another; however they were very similar in function and design. The members of the sales force had different experience in using the systems and received different levels of support and training. Similarly, each sales force management group was free to develop and use sales force automation (SFA) systems based on their own business needs and financial standing. The product lines were different for each sample company as was their competitiveness in the market place. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Pharmaceutical company, personality traits, human factor, Taiwanese enterprises, sales force automation.

Court Rejects Law Restricting Access to Prescribing Data

Court Rejects Law Restricting Access to Prescribing Data

Schizophrenia Trial Participation: Perceived Inclusion Barriers and Beliefs about Antipsychotics

Patient recruitment is the universal rate-limiting factor for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all medical specialties. This study examined the opinions on perceived inclusion barriers and beliefs about antipsychotics of a group of psychiatrists participating in a pragmatic RCT on antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia (the GiSAS trial). A survey of all clinicians working in the trial recruiting centers was performed exploring factors associated to the respondents' opinions. Of 465 clinicians, 278 (59.8%) responded to the questionnaire. Respondents (n=278) were mainly influenced by clinical and trial-related barriers (89%). Factors such as work setting and antipsychotic prescription choices appeared to be related to perceived inclusion barriers. Most respondents believed in the superiority of SGAs (62.9%), one-third indicating drug company representatives as the most important source of information; this was related to further optimism towards SGAs. Respondents were affected mainly by system-related barriers, whereas personal barriers were given less weight. The influence of industry-mediated information could have affected opinions on SGAs and the lack of uncertainty about antipsychotics attitudes towards trial participation.