Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7718
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
Kumar CJ, Deoker A, Kumar A, Kumar A, Hegde BM.
Awareness and attitudes about disease mongering among medical and pharmaceutical students.
PLoS Med 2006 Apr; 3:(4):e213
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030213
Abstract:
Pharmaceutical companies throughout the world market their products aggressively through a variety of promotional campaigns [1]. In India, these marketing practices pose a greater problem because the restrictions on drug dispensing are very limited-drugs often being dispensed without a prescription from a licensed physician. The companies take full advantage of this situation. As many patients in India are poor and illiterate, and lack information on health care, they often visit local pharmacists or quacks for medical advice. Pharmacists routinely dispense drugs illegally over the counter. We visited 40 local pharmacy stores for medical advice for a feigned medical ailment, and we found that all 40 pharmacists dispensed drugs, including expensive antibiotics [2].
Pharmaceutical promotional campaigns in India, unlike those in developed countries (where pharmacists have little influence on drug sales), are not only aimed at changing the prescribing habits of physicians but also at pharmacists and quacks. Pharmaceutical companies in India offer various schemes and incentives (including television sets, motorcycles, and the opportunity for higher profit margins) to lure pharmacists into buying more drugs than they would normally need. As a result, the pharmacists make every effort to sell these drugs to patients visiting them for medical advice. They may also associate themselves with quacks or physicians in their efforts to shift their stock of the drugs…
Keywords:
Publication Types:
Letter
MeSH Terms:
Advertising*
Attitude of Health Personnel
Chronic Disease
Developing Countries
Drug Industry*
Education, Pharmacy*
Humans
India
Pharmaceutical Services/ethics*
Prescriptions, Drug
Students, Medical*
Notes:
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