Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6935

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

Barros JA.
[(Mis)information on drugs: the double standard practiced by pharmaceutical companies]
Cad Saude Publica. 2000 Apr-Jun; 16:(2):421-7
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X2000000200012&tlng=es&lng=en&nrm=iso

Abstract:

Different factors have been identified as influencing drug prescribers. Some studies emphasize the role played by sources of information available to physicians. Reports have been published on the influence of marketing strategies on these health professionals. Such strategies include advertisements in medical journals, sales representatives, free samples, leaflets, distribution of gifts and prizes, etc. The research reported here aimed to identify information provided by a commonly used Brazilian prescription handbook, the Dicionario de Especialidades Farmaceuticas (DEF), in relation to the 44 most frequently sold pharmaceutical products in Brazil, using as parameters the WHO guidelines for information to be included in informative materials offered to physicians. The information was then compared to that included in the PDR (Physicians’ Desk Reference) and USP-DI (Drug Information for the Health Care Professional) used by prescribers in the United States. The results showed lack of data in the Brazilian publication (contraindications, side effects, drug interaction), suggesting lack of reliability in prescription quality and thus in the ultimate utilization of drugs.

Keywords:
*content analysis/Brazil/prescription handbook/Physicians' Desk Reference/USP DI/WHO guidelines/contraindications/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: COMMERCIAL DRUG COMPENDIA/INFORMATION FROM INDUSTRY: DOCTORS Advertising Drug Industry* Drug Labeling* English Abstract Pharmaceutical Preparations*