Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6822

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: Journal Article

Aslam N.
Pharmaceuticals lack seriousness to provide more information on request
The Network’s Drug Bulletin 1998 Oct-Dec; 7:(5-6):12-16, 19

Abstract:

Doctors in Pakistan were asked to write to pharmaceutical companies requesting more information about products made by the company. Out of 152 letters, only 39 were responded to and only 27 responses were received within 30 days. The response rate from multinational companies and domestic companies was no different, 26% and 24%, respectively. Only six of the 39 responses fully met the World Health Organization criteria for optimal drug information.

Keywords:
*analytic survey/Pakistan/developing countries/information from companies/doctors/INFORMATION FROM INDUSTRY: DOCTORS

Notes:

Methodology note: The method of randomly selecting the promotional brochures is not described. The brochures received by the doctors in the three cities in question may not be typical of all promotional brochures. The study does not state how the quality of the company responses was assessed.