Pharmacists' Perceptions
Pharmacists' Perceptions
Discussions of Medicare reform, drug importation, and government-established price controls are making the pharmaceutical industry the center of much debate. Physicians and consumer groups have expressed their views of the industry through various surveys and articles. The voice of the pharmacist, however, has been relatively unheard. Since pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry must work together to facilitate health care delivery to patients, it is essential that pharmacists' views of industry practices be known.
In a survey of Louisiana pharmacists, Desselle and Aparasu found that 59% did not support direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medications. Another survey, conducted by Drug Topics, found that 89% of pharmacists felt prices for new medications were too high and that 55% felt the manufacturer-determined minimum shipping requirements were also too high. Of the 85% of pharmacists who were visited by pharmaceutical sales representatives, 87% rated information from the representatives as important. Three fourths of the pharmacists believed there was excessive DTCA. In a study of physicians and pharmacists serving on pharmacy and therapeutics committees in Pennsylvania, 75% of pharmacists reported being unsatisfied with drug industry marketing in general and drug information in particular. The pharmacists were concerned that conflicts of interest and industry bias could affect formulary decisions.
The purpose of our study was to ascertain, on a national scale, pharmacists' perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry and of certain industry practices.
Discussions of Medicare reform, drug importation, and government-established price controls are making the pharmaceutical industry the center of much debate. Physicians and consumer groups have expressed their views of the industry through various surveys and articles. The voice of the pharmacist, however, has been relatively unheard. Since pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry must work together to facilitate health care delivery to patients, it is essential that pharmacists' views of industry practices be known.
In a survey of Louisiana pharmacists, Desselle and Aparasu found that 59% did not support direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medications. Another survey, conducted by Drug Topics, found that 89% of pharmacists felt prices for new medications were too high and that 55% felt the manufacturer-determined minimum shipping requirements were also too high. Of the 85% of pharmacists who were visited by pharmaceutical sales representatives, 87% rated information from the representatives as important. Three fourths of the pharmacists believed there was excessive DTCA. In a study of physicians and pharmacists serving on pharmacy and therapeutics committees in Pennsylvania, 75% of pharmacists reported being unsatisfied with drug industry marketing in general and drug information in particular. The pharmacists were concerned that conflicts of interest and industry bias could affect formulary decisions.
The purpose of our study was to ascertain, on a national scale, pharmacists' perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry and of certain industry practices.
