Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15371

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Publication type: Journal Article

Alam K, Shah AK, Ojha P, Palaian S, Shankar PR.
Evaluation of drug promotional materials in a hospital setting in Nepal
Southern Med Review 2009 Apr; 2:(1):2-6
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sop/smr/_docs/SMR_Vol2_Issue1.pdf

Abstract:

Objectives: Unethical drug promotion is a common problem worldwide. In, Nepal, there is limited vigilance on the quality of information supplied by the drug companies to the doctors. The
objectives of this study were to analyze the promotional materials provided by the drug
companies as per WHO ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion.

Methods: Promotional materials present in the Drug Information Center (DIC) during the period from September to December 2007 were collected. The collected promotional materials of different pharmaceutical companies were compared with WHO’s Ethical Criteria for Medicinal Drug Promotion.

Results: The name of active constituent(s) was mentioned in 87.87% (n=29) of promotional items.
Therapeutic indication was mentioned in 87.88% (n=29) of promotional material but information
on side effects [33.33% (n=11)], drug interactions [9.09% (n=3)] and use in pregnancy and
lactation [12.12% (n=4)] were lacking in the majority of promotional materials.

Conclusion: In a country like Nepal with limited drug information resources, the promotional materials provided by the manufacturers can largely influence the prescription behavior of the clinicians. Our findings suggest the need for interventions to improve the content of the promotional materials provided by the drug companies.

Keywords:
Drug Promotion, Nepal, Promotional Material, Ethics, Information

Notes:

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