Pharmaceutical Promotion Research Articles

Cross-sectional assessment of perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards pharmaceutical promotion: a study from developing country, Pakistan

BackgroundThe pharmaceutical promotion is “all informational and persuasive activities by manufacturers and distributors, the effect of which is to induce the prescription, supply, purchase and/or use of medicinal drugs. These promotional activities affect the dispensing behavior of physicians and pharmacists and influence begins from educational institutes.ObjectiveOur study’s main aim was to evaluate opinion and attitude of pharmacy students towards pharmaceutical promotion.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 3rd, 4th and final year pharmacy students of 3 public and 3 private sector universities in Punjab Pakistan. A modified version of pre available questionnaire was used to collect data from students between June 2020 and December 2020. The tool was made available through a Google Form, assessable to students via provided link. We utilized the snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the demographics, while Chi-square and t-test were used to analyze associations between demographics and items. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.ResultsA total of 1,195 students participated in the survey with an average age of 22.2 ± 1.2 years. Nearly 2/3rd of the students were males (62.2%) and a significant proportion (87.3%) of pharmacy students had never taken part in any training provided by pharmaceutical company. Among all, 51.9% confirmed that pharmacists who frequently interact with medical representatives tend to dispense more antibiotics. Additionally, 42.1% indicated they may dispense antibiotics under the influence of promotion. Pharmacy students in senior college years and those with lower parental exhibited significantly more perception and attitude scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionA significant number of students concurred with the notion that promotional activities could impact dispensing practices and they also believed that such activities contribute to the growing issue of irrational antibiotic use. This study underscores the necessity for a heightened emphasis on the educational needs of pharmacy students.

Managing Pharmaceutical Promotion Mix in the Rise of Social Media

ABSTRACTA manufacturer of a branded prescription drug typically uses traditional promotional tools to communicate with consumers (i.e., direct‐to‐consumer advertising) and physicians (i.e., detailing, sampling, and journal advertising). These promotions seek to enhance brand drug visibility and, eventually, increase brand sales. As medical communication norms generally dictate how healthcare information is communicated, the emergence of social media challenges such norms and potentially inflates (or deflates) the efficacy of pharmaceutical marketing communication. In such situations, a crucial research question revolves around how marketers will adjust their promotional strategies. In this study, the authors analyze the longitudinal data of 41 brand drugs from 7 therapeutic classes between 2007 and 2014. Through the lens of signaling theory, they empirically show that the volume and valence of social media posts can enhance or hinder the sales impacts of different promotional activities. Specifically, the volume and valence of social media posts have the potential to amplify the sales impact of detailing and direct‐to‐consumer advertising, while diminishing the effects of sampling and journal advertising. The volume and valence of brand drug mentions as well as consumer passion toward the brand drug display similar effects on the efficacy of pharmaceutical promotions. The findings shed new light on conventional pharmaceutical promotion practices in the presence of social media and provide novel implications for promotion mix management.

How promotion mix helps sustain brand sales during market transitions: insights from the pharmaceutical industry

Purpose Pharmaceutical marketers use detailing, sampling and direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) to promote a branded prescription drug (brand drug) to health-care professionals and consumers. These promotion mix elements help raise brand awareness, increase prescription likelihood and guard a product market against competing brand drugs. However, the extent to which these elements remain effective when a brand drug goes off patent and its marketing exclusivity expires, allowing low-price generics to enter the market, remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of promotion mix elements before and after the market entry of a generic drug. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected and analyzed a panel data set of 41 brand drugs from 7 therapeutic classes between 2007 and 2014 (3,201 observations) using the two-stage control function approach to address potential endogeneity. Findings The effectiveness of promotion mix elements changes significantly, but not in a universally uniform way, during a market transition. Detailing and DTCA are increasingly effective after a brand drug’s generics enter the market. In contrast, sampling is more effective before the market transition. The positive effects of sampling on brand sales are stronger when the price of a brand drug is higher than the average price of its competing brands. Sampling also helps amplify the positive influences of detailing and DTCA on brand sales. Research limitations/implications This study shows that pharmaceutical promotion is not equally effective in the brand drug market with/without generic competitors. Detailing and DTCA are increasingly effective when generic competition intensifies. In contrast, the distribution of free drug samples is less effective after more generic drugs enter the market. Practical implications Incumbent brands’ promotion expenditures often drop dramatically when the expiration of their patents is near, a practice that likely continues after generics enter the market. Taking into consideration these industry norms and their findings, the authors suggest that promotional decisions during a market transition should not overly focus on cutting promotional expenditures across the board. Since a firm’s promotional expenditure tends to be expensive, factoring in information on the effectiveness of each promotion mix element helps marketers make well-informed strategic decisions on resource allocation during the transition from a market without generics to a market with generics. Originality/value Previous studies do not explicitly account for structural changes in the brand drug market over time. However, the expiration of patent and marketing exclusivity marks a transitional period in which a brand drug eventually competes with its generic counterparts. Given the criticality of such structural change, the authors examine brand drugs’ promotion effectiveness in the presence of their generic counterparts.

Educating healthcare professionals about pharmaceutical promotion

Educating healthcare professionals about pharmaceutical promotion

Pharmaceutical industry promotional activities on social media: a scoping review

Abstract Objectives The rise of social media has broadened the reach and impact of pharmaceutical promotion across countries. This scoping review synthesizes available literature on the nature, extent, and impacts of such promotion, with a particular focus on public health implications. Methods Using a systematic strategy, we searched six multidisciplinary scholarly databases for empirical studies, both peer-reviewed and grey, published since 2004, which had collected data on pharmaceutical promotion via social media. Data were synthesized qualitatively into outcome domains. Key findings We included 45 studies, primarily conducted in the USA (20/45, 44%) and multi-nationally (15/45, 33%), and published after 2013 (40/45, 89%). Studies used content analyses, surveys, and interviews to measure pharmaceutical industry presence or impacts on the following indicators: social media, social media strategy, consumer reach and engagement, health information quality, ethical and regulatory guideline adherence, and consumer attitudes and behaviours. Taken together, these studies indicate a gradual increase in industry use of social media, notably including the development of novel consumer engagement strategies, such as targeted promotion and influencer sponsorship. Studies also showed that, in some cases, health information provided on social media is of low quality, ethically and legally questionable, and potentially harmful to public health. Conclusions Appreciating the regulatory and reputational risks of consumer engagement on social media, the pharmaceutical industry has gradually increased promotional activities on social media since its inception. Evidence of harmful content and promotional activities that have become more covert and targeted suggests the need for regulatory development.

Evaluation of Drug and Herbal Medicinal Promotions on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Relation to World Health Organization Ethical Criteria and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority Guidelines in South Africa: Cross-Sectional Content Analysis.

Consideration of ethics in the promotion of medications is essential to safeguard the health of consumers, particularly during health crises. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) have established stringent standards to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical promotions and safeguard public health, including advertisements on the internet and social media platforms. However, the dynamic nature of online advertising poses challenges for monitoring and enforcing ethical standards. The study aimed (1) to examine the COVID-19 drug and medicinal promotions across online platforms and social media from 2020 to 2022 in South Africa and (2) to ensure that drug promotions adhere to ethical guidelines outlined by the WHO and SAPHRA. A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted to assess drug and medicinal advertisements across various internet and social media platforms. A systematic approach was used to identify and analyze promotional content, focusing on adherence to ethical guidelines outlined by WHO and SAPHRA. Data were collected and analyzed to determine the extent of compliance and identify any potential violations or areas for improvement. A total of 14 online drug advertisements were included in this analysis. Our findings show that most of the drugs advertised did not meet the regulations and guidelines provided by WHO and SAHPRA. There were omissions about active ingredients, proprietary names, adverse drug responses, precautions, and overdosage and adverse drug reactions. Traditional medicines were not fully consistent with the approved WHO ethical criteria data sheet. Our analysis highlights the critical importance of ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines in drug promotions on the internet and social media platforms. There is a need for continued vigilance and enforcement efforts to uphold ethical standards and protect the health of the public. Ongoing monitoring and collaboration between national drug regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and online platforms will be essential for promoting responsible advertising. In addition, safety monitoring and pharmacovigilance systems for herbal medicinal products are yet to be established.

Whether Present Era Demand Change in Pharmaceutical Promotional Ways to be More Eco- and Doctor-Friendly? An Observational Study.

Pharmaceutical promotion is the principal aspect of the healthcare system. In this study, we aimed to portray the opinion of doctors and medical representatives (MRs) on conventional pharmaceutical ways (usage of promotional or educational paper materials and physician drug samples) for pharmaceutical promotion. In this cross-sectional observational study, data were collected from doctors and MRs across India using self-administered Google forms. Data were analyzed, and results were drawn. A total of 314 doctors and 272 MRs participated in the study. As per 95.5% of doctors, continuing medical education (CME)/books/online information is the most common and convenient method to update medical knowledge, whereas 67.9% of MRs also think the same. Only 5.5% of doctors prefer paper material provided by pharmaceutical companies to update their knowledge. Most doctors say paper materials provided by pharmaceutical companies contribute less than 25% to product information, rather CME, books, and online information contribute significantly. MRs also think similarly. 66.2% of MRs agree that more than 25% of paper material gets wasted due to non-distribution. 73.2% of doctors and 75.4% of MRs agree that the use of paper materials for product promotion is not cost-effective, even if it contributes to deforestation. Only 51% of doctors use more than 50% of medical samples in patient care and only half of doctors and MRs think expired medical samples are disposed of correctly. 56.1% of doctors and 71.4% of MRs think a significant amount of medical samples are wasted and are hazardous to the environment. Both doctors and MRs are of the opinion that the conventional method of paper promotion, that is, paper material and drug samples, is not cost-effective and also not eco-friendly. Hence, need to rethink - is there a need to change with time?

Effect of pharmaceutical promotion and incentives offered by pharmaceutical companies on the prescribing pattern of medical students: a cross-sectional study from a developing nation Pakistan

BackgroundPharmaceutical companies continuously pursue healthcare professionals, starting from the medical college level, which can ultimately lead to irrational prescribing of drugs and antibiotics. Therefore, our main aim was to evaluate the opinions and attitudes of medical students toward pharmaceutical promotion.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional online survey that applied the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected from three public and three private sector medical colleges in Punjab, Pakistan using snowball sampling. A modified version of a pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect data between October 2020 and January 2021. Medical students from the third year onward were captivated. The tool was made available on Google Forms and students could access it by clicking the link shared. The effect of promotion on prescribing pattern and future prescribing of antibiotics were measured. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-test were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 1,301 students filled out the survey, but only 1,227 responses were acceptable. The average age was found to be 23.4 ± 1.59 years. Slightly more than half of the respondents were male participants (57.7%), and a significant proportion (84.1%) reported being aware of pharmaceutical promotion. A smaller number (27.7%) felt that physicians who meet medical representatives more frequently tend to prescribe more antibiotics and 46.3% indicated they would be willing to prescribe antibiotics under the promotional influence. Medical students who were male, in senior college years, attended government institutions, and had lower parental income showed significantly higher perception and attitude scores (p < 0.05) which, in turn, may show their inclination to promotional activities. Many students agreed with the view that pharmaceutical promotion (PP) activities may alter prescribing practices and also believed that they contribute to the increased irrational prescribing of drugs and antibiotics.ConclusionThe study revealed that only a small number of students are willing to engage in promotional activities and accept rewards, which influences their choice toward selection of drugs and antibiotics. This study highlighted the necessity of giving proper educational instructions regarding the promotion of drugs to medical students. This study also focused on the educational prerequisites of the students.

Pharmaceutical Promotions and Compliance with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Prescribing Guidelines by General Practitioners in Mbarara

Background: Generic prescribing effectively reduces dispensing errors and promotes the availability, access and quality of pharmaceutical products in health facilities or pharmacies. However, in Uganda, non-compliance with treatment guidelines is prevalent, with evidence of some General Practitioners (GPs) prescribing non-essential and obsolete drugs. This study examines the role of pharmaceutical promotions in creating awareness of new medicines among GPs and the potential influence of these promotions on prescribing practices.
 Methods: The study used a qualitative phenomenological research design. Key informant interviews were conducted with 33 experienced GPs from nine hospitals in Mbarara City, Uganda. The transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis.
 Results: Most GPs were male (78.79%), aged between 41-50 years (30.30%), with a work experience of 6-10 years (39.39%). All GPs had at least been exposed to pharmaceutical promotions such as free samples, visits from medical representatives, and Continuing Medical Education sessions. Most GPs had a positive outlook on these promotions, which they believed were informative, educational, and beneficial. However, the more GPs depend on pharmaceutical promotions, the less likely they are to follow the national or international guidelines for generic prescribing.
 Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of ethical pharmaceutical promotion and the need for strict regulation by the National Drug Authority (NDA) to ensure that promotional activities do not compromise patient care and public health outcomes. The study recommends that GPs be more critical of the information and incentives provided during such promotions and should be trained in rational prescribing and evidence-based medicine.

Pharmaceutical Drug Promotion and Rational Drug Use: Assessment of Healthcare Workers Perspective.

Pharmaceutical drug promotion has the potential to improve rational drug use by creating awareness among healthcare workers and patients as well as increasing access to life-saving medicines. This study aimed to determine whether pharmaceutical drug promotion can improve rational drug use among healthcare workers. Semi-structured questionnaires were filled by selected dispensers and prescribers in central Uganda. Forms of pharmaceutical drug promotion, sources of drug information, and views on the influence of drug promotion on rational drug use were investigated. Associations amongst selected variables were tested at bivariate and multivariate levels. Of the 383 participants enrolled in the study, 49.6% were dispensers. More dispensers (49.0%, 92/188) favored 1 on 1 discussion whereas prescribers (32.0%, 61/191) preferred continuous medical education. Most dispensers (85.6%, 161/188) and prescribers (68.6%, 131/191) reported that drug promotion influences their choice of drug use, with most (dispensers: 85.1%, 160/188 vs prescribers: 72.3%, 1/191) admittedly relying on drug promotion as their primary source of drug information. Pharmaceutical drug promotion influences prescription and dispensing practices among health workers, and it should be strictly regulated to ensure accurate and essential information for health workers while prioritizing rational use of medicines.

Marketing strategies in the pharmaceutical industry

Marketing is believed to maintain a steady supply of customers, which a business requires to survive. Pharmaceuticals are a global force; they include everything from domestic items to drugs and medical supplies that can save lives. Due to the dependence of the pharmaceutical industry on specialized training, pharmaceutical education is now a requirement for medical school. Distribution or marketing of pharmaceuticals makes drugs accessible to the public. Since most customers only actively seek out pharmaceuticals or medical supplies when they have an urgent need, pharma marketing is distinctive. Today, selling medications for a profit confronts this greatest obstacle. This Review article will examine the fundamental values of pharmaceutical marketing to comprehend it better. The study will also evaluate marketing materials for pharmaceuticals. This study draws on the knowledge of various academics and pharmaceutical marketing executives. The research focuses on the marketing balance, consumer drug attitudes, eco-friendly marketing, and pharmaceutical product promotion. The author’s choices and availability may necessitate that the examined articles and literature accurately reflect the study’s implication, and the findings may be suggestive rather than conclusive.

Impact of Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Medical Students Regarding Pharmaceutical Promotion

Background: Promotional activities conducted by pharmaceutical industries are highly successful to alter physicians' prescribing habit. Undergraduate medical curriculum does not make students to deal with this unwarranted effect. Educational intervention might be a key to address this crucial issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of educational intervention on knowledge and attitude of medical students regarding pharmaceutical promotion.
 Materials and methods: This interventional research was conducted from February 2016 to February 2017. 4th year MBBS students of the four medical colleges of Dhaka city were the study population. A baseline assessment on knowledge and perception of the 4th year MBBS medical students' of the included medical colleges (Control and intervention) was conducted by a questionnaire survey. Number of respondents in control and intervention group was 156 and 243 respectively in pre test. Then, a package of educational intervention including interactive lecture and practical session was delivered to intervention group. After I month of intervention, post intervention data had been collected from undergraduate students to evaluate the effect of intervention on their knowledge and perception by using same questionnaire. Number of respondents in control and intervention group was 152 and 227 respectively in post test. Attitude of the undergraduate students of intervention group was evaluated by a structured questionnaire after one month of intervention. Total 227 students were participated in this survey.
 Results: Proportion of students regarding knowledge and perception about pharmaceutical promotion is significantly increased after intervention (p<0.001). Attitude of undergraduate students of intervention group on 10 different case scenarios related to pharmaceutical promotion have been changed after intervention and it were statistically significant in all 10 case scenarios.
 Conclusion: The conducted educational intervention was found effective at undergraduate level to modify knowledge and attitude about pharmaceutical promotion.
 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.22 (1); January 2023; Page 8-13

Pharmaceutical company responses to Canadian opioid advertising restrictions: A framing analysis.

The pharmaceutical industry's promotion of opioids in North America has been well-documented. Yet despite the clear consequences of improperly classifying pharmaceutical company messaging and frequently permissive approaches that allow the pharmaceutical industry to self-regulate its own advertising, there has been scarce investigation to date of how pharmaceutical industry stakeholders interpret definitions of "advertising." This study explores how variations of "marketing" and "advertising" are strategically framed by the different actors involved in the manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical opioids. We employed a framing analysis of industry responses to Health Canada's letter to Canadian manufacturers and distributors of opioids requesting their commitment to voluntarily cease all marketing and advertising of opioids to health care professionals. Our findings highlight companies' continuing efforts to frame their messaging as "information" and "education" rather than "advertising" in ways that serve their interests. This study also calls attention to the industry's continual efforts to promote self-regulation and internal codes of conduct within a highly permissive federal regulatory framework with little concern for violations or serious consequences. While this framing often occurring out of public sight, this study highlights the subtle means through which the industry attempts to frame their promotion strategies away from "marketing". These framing strategies have significant consequences for the pharmaceutical industry's capacity to influence healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public.

Complaints about Violations of Voluntary and Pharmaceutical Industry-Run Medicine Promotion Codes in Canada.

Although regulation of pharmaceutical promotion in Canada is covered under the Food & Drugs Act and Regulations, in practice it is regulated by two codes, one a code administered by the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board and a second one controlled by Innovative Medicines Canada, the lobby organization for the large majority of the Canadian and foreign-owned pharmaceutical companies operating in Canada. This study examines complaints about code violations between 2012 and 2021 and puts those complaints and their outcomes into the context of the stringency of the codes, their governance, monitoring, penalties for violations, and compliance by companies. It combines the findings from this analysis with international experience with industry-run codes and concludes that overall, the Canadian codes are ineffective in controlling promotion. Finally, it offers recommendations for how regulation can be improved and how doctors' reliance on information from pharmaceutical companies can be reduced.

Factors Affecting the Cardiologists' Prescribing Attitudes in Dubai and the Northern Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study

Background The growing concern of irrational drug use that leads to adverse events requires attention to investigate the prescription patterns. For cardiovascular drugs, this could increase patients' risk of developing a heart attack or stroke and coronary artery disease. This study particularly examines cardiologist behaviors that influence prescription patterns. The influence of pharmaceutical companies' promotions and other factors affecting their prescriptions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mainly in Dubai and the Northern Emirates private hospitals and clinics, were investigated. Methods Online survey questions were undertaken using the structured questionnaire, and the determined sample size of the cardiologists working in Dubai and the Northern Emirates was 59 using randomly generated numbers from the available cardiologists' registry and assuming 95% confident with the 80% response rate. Ratings of the prescribing behavior were done using the original Bloom's cutoff points, which were updated and adjusted to evaluate UAE cardiologists' general prescribing practices. Results The average prescribing behavior score was moderate (76.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75.1–77.8). Better prescribing patterns were observed among the cardiologists from Dubai compared with the Northern Emirates (odds ratio 4.24; 95% CI, 1.06–16.97). Continued medical education sponsored by pharmaceutical companies was the main influential factor (96.6%) affecting the cardiologists in changing their prescription. A total of 40.7% of the cardiologists believed in changing the prescription from brand to generic, while 43% stated that clinical updates, including evidence from new studies, were among the other factors affecting their prescribing behavior pattern. Conclusion The cardiologists' prescribing behaviors in Dubai and the Northern Emirates are above average and the cardiologists are aware of the unethical acceptance of pricey gifts. Cardiologists in Dubai and the Northern Emirates are considered ethical in adopting a new medication in agreement with similar studies conducted regionally, as their primary motivation is the welfare of patients, which will help them rationally select medication.

Welcome to Pharmaceutical Communications

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Pharmaceutical Communications-a biannual, open access, and peer-reviewed journal aiming to publish high-quality research articles in the field of basic & advanced pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical Communications is a biannual, peer-reviewed journal published online and in print that primarily publishes research articles and reviews that focus on basic and advanced pharmaceutics. The journal accepts manuscripts related to but not limited to, the processing of pharmaceuticals, such as crystallization, lyophilization, chemical stability of drugs, pharmacokinetics, biopharmaceutics, pro-drug developments, metabolic disposition of bioactive agents, dosage form design, pharmaceutical technology, targeted drug delivery. Other topics include pharmaceutical marketing, pharmaceutical promotion, patient-provider communication, healthcare communication, patient safety, and innovations in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical Communications primarily accepts original research articles and reviews. However, invited editorial summaries and letters to the editor are also occasionally published. The journal provides a platform for scientists, practitioners, and healthcare professionals to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of pharmaceutics. The journal also serves as a forum for discussing and debating current issues and trends in the pharmaceutical industry. The journal welcomes submissions from academics, practitioners, and industry professionals who wish to share their research and perspectives on topics related to pharmaceutics. In the last two decades, rapid technological advances have enabled researchers to investigate arcane technological phenomena and ask more profound questions. Several pharmaceutical processes involved in the manufacturing of various dosage forms are being unraveled at a rapid pace, high resolution, and with unprecedented details. Authors carrying out investigations leveraging these technologies dealing with the composition, formulation, preparation, or manufacturing and quality control of extemporaneously compounded or commercially manufactured drugs are encouraged to submit their findings to Pharmaceutical Communications. The purpose of this journal is to provide a platform to the scientific fraternity, especially regional and national academics, where they could get their studies published after a rapid, transparent, and high-quality peer review. All the articles published in Pharmaceutical Communications will be freely available to readers immediately after publication. The open-access policy of our journal is likely to increase the readership of articles and enhance their visibility and citation potential. The journal also welcomes submissions from authors from any country. Therefore, I invite you to submit your work to Pharmaceutical Communications. We look forward to receiving your submissions! Professor Dr. Fazli Nasir Editor-In-Chief Rehabilitation Communications

Determinants of prescribing decisions for off-patent biological medicines in Belgium: a qualitative study

BackgroundA competitive market for off-patent biologicals leads to more affordable and high-quality healthcare. In recent years, Belgium has been characterized by its low use of biosimilars and by its shifts from off-patent biologicals toward new alternative therapies. Yet, the prescribing decisions involved in these observations are poorly understood. This study aims to better understand prescribing choices among Belgian physicians in the ambulatory care setting.MethodsThis study consisted of two phases. First, a scoping literature review to identify determinants of prescribing choices was conducted. Scientific databases (Embase and PubMed) were searched until 4 November 2021. Second, the nominal group technique (NGT) was employed during focus group discussions with Belgian physicians to consider and validate these determinants for off-patent biologicals in the Belgian context. The qualitative data resulting from the literature review and focus group discussions were analyzed using the thematic framework method.ResultsFifty-three scientific articles that discussed elements that determine prescribing choices were identified. Out of these, 17 determinants of prescribing choices were found. These were divided into five categories: (1) product-related, (2) physicians’ personal, (3) healthcare system-related, (4) patient-related, and (5) determinants related to the pharmaceutical company or brand. Nineteen Belgian physicians from different therapeutic areas that regularly prescribe biologicals then participated in focus group discussions. Using the NGT, the group discussions revealed that prescribing choices for off-patent biologicals are determined by a complex set of elements. Clinical data, geographical region, working environment, pharmaceutical marketing, patient profile, clinical guidelines, and preference of key opinion leaders (KOL) were considered most influential. Physicians indicated that the importance of these determinants differs depending on product classes or therapeutic domain.ConclusionsMultiple elements determine the choice of an off-patent biological or biosimilar product. The importance of each of these determinants varies depending on the context in which the prescribing choice is made. To increase the prescription of best-value biologicals in the Belgian ambulatory care, a set of synergistic measures is required including information for healthcare providers (HCP) and patients, prescribing feedback, prescribing targets, tangible incentives, KOL involvement, guidelines regarding pharmaceutical promotion, and regular revision of reimbursement modalities.

Effects of pharmaceutical promotions on antibiotics prescribing behavior of Nigerian private medical practitioners

Objectives: About 80% of pharmaceutical marketing efforts are directed toward physicians who are important decision-makers to patients’ medication needs. Pharmaceutical marketing can affect drug prescriptions, which, in turn, may adversely impact prescription practices. This study investigated the effect of pharmaceutical promotions on the antibiotic prescribing behavior of private practice physicians. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive design was employed. Self-administered questionnaires, scaled on a linear 5-point Likert Scale, were distributed among 268 physicians attending the 44th annual scientific conference of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners at Ibadan, in Southwest Nigeria. Results: The study achieved a response rate of 94%, and 243 completely filled questionnaires were included for data analysis using R version 4. Cronbach’s alpha reliability of the research instrument was found to be 0.991, indicating an excellent internal consistency. Most of the physicians were male (71%), medical officers (83%), and 49% were between the ages of 51 and 60 years. About 65% had over 20 years of practice experience. A majority, 211 (87%), have prescribed antibiotics under the influence of pharmaceutical companies’ promotions. However, Fisher’s exact tests demonstrated a weak association between relevant independent variables and the dependent variable (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Product detailing by pharmaceutical sales representatives was the most popular form of promotion and company-sponsored presentations had the greatest influence on the physicians’ prescription practice. It is, therefore, recommended that pharmaceutical promotions should be well regulated to guard against unethical practices.

Papel do farmacêutico e da farmácia comunitária na Atenção à Saúde: percepção de estudantes universitários

Thousands of community pharmacies in Brazil provide daily access to medicines. This study aims to identify the perception of undergraduate pharmacy students about the contribution of the pharmacist in the community pharmacy to the improvement of health care. The data for this research were obtained through the students’ comments in an online discussion forum. To analyze qualitative data, the thematic content analysis technique was used. Students often stated that the pharmacy provides easy access to medicines and to a qualified health professional; the pharmacist’s presence contributes to the recognition of the pharmacy as a health establishment. The pharmacy role transcends dispensing and the clerk does not replace the pharmacist. The results show a valorization of the pharmaceutical care quality promotion.

Medical students’ exposure to and attitudes towards product promotion and incentives from the pharmaceutical industry in 2019: a national cross-sectional study in France

ObjectivesTo measure medical students’ exposure to pharmaceutical product promotion and incentives nationwide, and to evaluate students’ attitudes towards the pharmaceutical industry, access to education on promotional strategies and knowledge of...