A cross sectional study of drug promotional literatures in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objectives: The study was aimed to evaluate and analyse the drug promotional literature distributed by pharmaceutical companies to physicians. This was done using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) Code of Practice, 2012. Detailed analysis of claims was done. Material and Method: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in OPD of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 194 brochures were collected and evaluated according to the WHO criteria and IFPMA Code of practice, 2012. Further claims were categorised and detailed analysis of exaggerated and false claims was done and the authenticity of the brochures was checked. Results: None of the brochures gave complete information in accordance to the WHO and IFPMA Code of practice, 2012. Majority of the claims were about efficacy (77.31%) and safety (13.91%). Seven of them were exaggerated and false. Conclusion: The study concluded that the drug information provided in the promotional brochures can be incomplete and unreliable with the questionable credibility. Hence a physician should not rely solely on the brochures. They must undergo a strict process of assessment regarding information provided, especially related to efficacy and safety.