Akena C, Ssemanda M, Abdelaziz AHS, Munanura EI. Pharmaceutical Drug Promotion and Rational Drug Use: Assessment of Healthcare Workers Perspective.
INTEGRATED PHARMACY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024;
13:127-138. [PMID:
39156079 PMCID:
PMC11330259 DOI:
10.2147/iprp.s466004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Pharmaceutical drug promotion has the potential to improve rational drug use by creating awareness among healthcare workers and patients as well as increasing access to life-saving medicines. This study aimed to determine whether pharmaceutical drug promotion can improve rational drug use among healthcare workers.
Methods
Semi-structured questionnaires were filled by selected dispensers and prescribers in central Uganda. Forms of pharmaceutical drug promotion, sources of drug information, and views on the influence of drug promotion on rational drug use were investigated. Associations amongst selected variables were tested at bivariate and multivariate levels.
Results
Of the 383 participants enrolled in the study, 49.6% were dispensers. More dispensers (49.0%, 92/188) favored 1 on 1 discussion whereas prescribers (32.0%, 61/191) preferred continuous medical education. Most dispensers (85.6%, 161/188) and prescribers (68.6%, 131/191) reported that drug promotion influences their choice of drug use, with most (dispensers: 85.1%, 160/188 vs prescribers: 72.3%, 1/191) admittedly relying on drug promotion as their primary source of drug information.
Conclusion
Pharmaceutical drug promotion influences prescription and dispensing practices among health workers, and it should be strictly regulated to ensure accurate and essential information for health workers while prioritizing rational use of medicines.
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