Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9234

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

Emmerton L, Benrimoj SI.
Factors influencing pharmacists' preferences for non-prescription cough suppressants
Journal of Social and Administrative Pharmacy 1994; 11:(2):78-85

Abstract:

To identify and quantify the influences on pharmacists’ preference for defined products, multiple regression models were developed to explain pharmacists’ preferences for 2 non-prescription cough suppressants; data were obtained from 261 community pharmacists in Australia. Preferred cough suppressants were codeine phosphate in combination with methoxyphenamine hydrochloride and sodium citrate (Orthoxicol Cough Suppressant) and pholcodine (Duro-Tuss Liquid); both preferences differed significantly with age of the respondent. Preferences were explained by regressing preference ratings on factor scores and the respondent’s age. Preference for Orthoxicol Cough Suppressant was significantly explained by social and clinical influences and age and negatively explained by factors describing advertising and experience with the product. Preference for Duro-Tuss was significantly related to financial influences and negatively related to clinical issues and age. It was concluded that, using these methods, salient issues in product selection in practice may be identified for other symptoms or drug groups.