Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5704

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Van STAA.
Myth and metronidazole in Manila: the popularity of drugs among prescribers and dispensers in the treatment of diarrhoea
INRUD News 1993 Oct

Abstract:

(Limited to section dealing with promotion.) One of the reasons why prescribing for diarrhea in Manila is not consistent with recommendations is that prescribing in the Philippines is largely determined by aggressive and efficient pharmaceutical marketing which is founded on a personal bond between doctor and sales representative. Through these detailers, drug companies shower doctors with gifts and free samples in order to invoke a debt of gratitude. Doctors pay off this “debt” by prescribing.

Keywords:
*analysis/Philippines/developing countries/sales representatives/quality of prescribing/gift giving/doctors/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: GIFT GIVING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL DRUGS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION AND HEALTH NEEDS: PROMOTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES/PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: DOCTORS/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: DETAILING