Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion

Puratchimani Renugadevi; Anandabaskar Nishanthi; Manickam Shanthi

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

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Online Published: 04 May 2023

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(11): 2341-2346

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion

Puratchimani Renugadevi, Anandabaskar Nishanthi, Manickam Shanthi.

Abstract
Background: Doctors rely on drug advertisements provided by the pharmaceutical industry as an authentic source of drug information. However, they are found to be highly incomplete, biased, and inaccurate, thus leading to irrational drug use.

Aims and Objectives: To assess the adherence of printed drug promotional literature (DPL) provided to private medical practitioners using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for ethical drug promotion.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the printed DPLs distributed to private practitioners by medical representatives in their outpatient clinics were randomly collected. The DPLs were categorized into full and reminder advertisements and were analyzed based on the WHO guidelines.

Results: A total of 206 DPLs were collected, of which the majority (61.7%) were reminder DPLs. All the full DPLs had the generic and brand name, dosage form, and active ingredient (s). Therapeutic uses, manufacturer name, manufacturer address, dosage regimen, references, and side effects were mentioned in 60.8%, 60.8%, 13.9%, 8.9%, 10.1%, and 5.1% of them, respectively. Precautions, contra-indications, and interactions were present in only one full DPL. Concerning reminder DPLs, brand name, generic name, active ingredient (s), manufacturer name, and manufacturer address were mentioned in 100%, 96.9%, 96.1%, 52%, and 26.8% of them, respectively.

Conclusion: Our study shows that none of the full DPLs and only one-fourth of reminder DPLs fulfilled all the WHO criteria. Due to rampant unethical drug promotional practices, it is essential to train doctors on critical evaluation of DPLs and stringent laws should be enforced to improve the quality of DPLs and mandate ethical drug promotion.

Key words: Drug Promotional Literature; Pharmaceutical Advertisement; Pharmaceutical Marketing

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Renugadevi P, Nishanthi A, Shanthi M. Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(11): 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Web Style

Renugadevi P, Nishanthi A, Shanthi M. Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=150025 [Access: June 26, 2026].

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Renugadevi P, Nishanthi A, Shanthi M. Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(11): 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Renugadevi P, Nishanthi A, Shanthi M. Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2023), [cited June 26, 2026]; 13(11): 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Harvard Style

Renugadevi, P., Nishanthi, . A. & Shanthi, . M. (2023) Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 13 (11), 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Turabian Style

Renugadevi, Puratchimani, Anandabaskar Nishanthi, and Manickam Shanthi. 2023. Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (11), 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

Chicago Style

Renugadevi, Puratchimani, Anandabaskar Nishanthi, and Manickam Shanthi. "Adherence of drug promotional literatures to the World Health Organization ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13 (2023), 2341-2346.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.04206202323042023

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