Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8458

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

Two-thirds of RPh's and MD's object to makers' promotion of Rx drugs to the public
American Druggist 1982 Oct; 186:14, 16, 21-22

Abstract:

Coordinated surveys of the reactions of physicians and pharmacists to the growing trend among pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote prescription drugs, particularly new ones, directly to the patients instead of the health professionals, are described. Results of the questionnaire surveys showed that 68.7% of pharmacists and a slightly lower proportion of physicians, 63.9%, object to the manufacturers’ promotions of the drugs to consumers. Among the physicians, internists and general practitioners are the least likely to disapprove of promotion to patients. Hospital pharmacists are more likely than community pharmacists to object to such promotions, and among the community pharmacists, the independents are more likely to object than the chain pharmacists. The pharmacists’ and physicians’ views on the promotion of prescription drugs to the public are tabulated.