Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2492
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
Boltri JM, Gordon ER, Vogel RL.
Effect of antihypertensive samples on physician prescribing patterns.
Fam Med 2002 Nov-Dec; 34:(10):729-31
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12448641
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of pharmaceutical samples on the prescribing habits of family practice residents and faculty in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: Charts from two time periods were reviewed for a diagnosis of hypertension—January and February 1997 when drug samples were available and January and February 1998 when sample distribution was prohibited. Progress notes were assessed for medication prescribed, patient age, and doctor seen. Prescribed antihypertensive medications were defined as first- or second-line drugs based on the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI). Comparisons were made between the two time periods and between faculty and residents. RESULTS: Overall, faculty were much less likely than residents to prescribe first-line medications: 43% versus 57%. Following prohibition of sample distribution, there was an increase in first-line antihypertensive use from 38% to 61%. CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of first-line drugs for the treatment of hypertension increased after drug sample distribution was prohibited. Studies are needed to determine the extent to which drug sample availability affects prescription practices.
Keywords:
Antihypertensive Agents/supply & distribution*
Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use*
Drug Industry
Drug Utilization*
Family Practice/education
Female
Health Services Research
Humans
Hypertension/drug therapy*
Internship and Residency
Male
Marketing
Middle Aged
Physician's Practice Patterns*
Prescriptions, Drug
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Southeastern United States
*analytic survey
*cross-sectional study
longitudinal study
United States
hypertension
drug samples
faculty
residents
prescribing behavior
EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: SAMPLES
INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE
PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: SAMPLES
