Question

Take a recent drug advertisement from a journal and retrieve 2 journal references mentioned in the advertisement to determine if the truly support the claim in the ad ( see medscape.com/viewarticle/726442 for ideas to look for)

Answer 1

First of all I would like to say that currently medicine companies are also stared advertising for more sell and more profits. They just forget that their work is for the better servivement of human life.

I am represent an article where every thing is clear.

It is observed in studies done for western medical journals that insufficient information related to drug is usually provided in the drug advertisements published in them.

Aims:

As data for advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals were lacking, this study was designed with the aim of evaluating drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals for adequacy of information on drug and references given to support the claim made in the advertisements.

Methods and Materials:

All medical journals related to clinical practice subscribed by the Central Library of Government Medical College, Surat, (Indian Journal of Pediatrics [IJP], Indian Pediatrics [IP], Journal of the Association of Physicians of India [JAPI], Journal of Indian Medical Association [JIMA], were evaluated for adequacy of reporting of various parameters in drug advertisements published in these journals on the basis of “World Heath Organization (WHO)” criteria. References mentioned to support claims were also evaluated.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Descriptive statistics was used to describe data as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence interval around the percentage.

Results:

Generic name was mentioned in 90% advertisements. Indications were mentioned in 84% advertisements. Dose, precautions, and contraindications were mentioned in 24%, 17%, and 16% advertisements, respectively. Adverse effects and postal address of pharmaceutical company was mentioned in 19% and 74% advertisements, respectively. Price was mentioned in only 5% advertisements. Only 28% claims were supported by references. Most common references were Journal articles (75%).

Conclusion:

Drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals are poor in reporting various parameters according to WHO criteria.

Reference-

1. Levy R. The role and value of pharmaceutical marketing. Arch Fam Med. 1994;3:327–32. [PubMed]

2. Wind Y. Pharmaceutical advertising.A business school perspective. Arch Fam Med. 1994;3:321–3. [PubMed]