Drug advertisements in two medical journals-a comparative study
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Date
1998-11-07
Authors
Baduraliya, L. S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Studies have shown unethical marketing practices of the pharmaceutical industry in developing countries. TIlls study was undertaken to compare the quality of information of drug advertisements oftwo journals: from a developing and a developed country.
The advertisements of all the issues of the Ceylon Medical Journal (Sri Lanka), and The Practitioner (UK) of 1996 were screened. These were studied for predetermined parametersbased on WHO guide lines for drug advertising. Accuracy of information was assessed as per a standard reference book.. Taking both into consideration a marking schemewas designed. Misleading information were given negative marks. The pictures wereanalysed by 4 clinicians using a questionnaire.
The total advertisements screened were 86. The percentage of pages occupied by advertisementsin CM] was 31% whilst in The Practitioner 53%. Mean marks scored by theeM] was 33.78% whilst The Practitioner scored 63.72%. Approximately 60% of the advertisements of CM] scored < than 40% and had the following deficiencies: absent . generic name, indication, precautions, dosage regimen, contraindications and adverse effectsfor use of drugs. 88% of the advertisements of The Practitioner scored> than 40%. 27.9% of advertisements of CM] and 2.3% in The Practitioner carried misleading information.The picture of the advertisements in both journals were not symbolic but were attractive.
The absences of scientific information and the presence of misleading information wereapparent in the advertisements of the CM]. This may lead to irrational practices of o prescribing especially in the peripheral hospitals where there is a lacunae of scientific information. Further, the editors should scrutinise the advertisements for the basic :requirements.The guidelines of WHO, IFPMA should be strengthened.
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Keywords
Drug advertisements , Pharmaceutical industry , Medical Journals , Health Sciences
Citation
Proceedings & Abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions,1998,University of Peradeniya, peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 54