Table 2 Perception of medical representative (MRs) on ethical promotion of pharmaceuticals
Questions | Overall (%) | Medical representatives (MRs) (%) | OR (CI) | p values | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Yes | NCs, n = 205 | MNCs, n = 125 | |||
Company provides information of high standards on product quality, safety, efficacy according to the standards framed by regulatory authorities | 21 (6) | 309 (94) | 188 (91.7) | 121 (96.8) | 2.73 (0.9–8.3) | 0.066 |
Company follows ethical guidelines for promotion and marketing of drug products | 48 (15) | 282 (85) | 162 (79.0) | 120 (96.0) | 6.37 (2.5–16.5) | 0.0005** |
Aware of IFPMA guiding principles of ethical conduct and promotion | 133 (40) | 197 (60) | 92 (44.9) | 105 (84.0) | 6.45 (3.7–11.2) | 0.0005** |
Aware of WHO ethical codes and promotion | 119 (36) | 211 (64) | 105 (51.2) | 106 (84.8) | 5.31 (3.1–9.3) | 0.0005** |
Aware of Pakistan national code of ethics | 132 (40) | 198 (60) | 94 (45.9) | 104 (83.2) | 5.84 (3.4–10.1) | 0.0005** |
Aware of PMRC code of ethics | 165 (50) | 165 (50) | 73 (35.6) | 92 (73.6) | 5.04 (3.1–8.2) | 0.0005** |
Company provides accurate, balanced and scientifically valid data on products | 28 (8) | 302 (92) | 181 (88.3) | 121 (96.8) | 4.01 (1.4–11.8) | 0.007* |
Company respect private and personal data of patients or medical doctor | 32 (10) | 298 (90) | 180 (87.8) | 118 (94.4) | 2.34 (0.9–5.6) | 0.049* |
Company provides training to MRs on ethical promotion of their products | 79 (24) | 251 (76) | 135 (65.9) | 116 (92.8) | 6.68 (3.2–13.9) | 0.0005** |
Company sponsors or organizes events for medical doctors outside Pakistan other than international conferences | 179 (54) | 151 (46) | 127 (62.0) | 24 (19.2) | 0.15 (0.1–0.3) | 0.0005** |
Company sponsors social or entertainment activities of medical doctors in international conferences | 178 (54) | 152 (46) | 130 (63.4) | 22 (17.6) | 0.123 (0.1–0.21) | 0.0005** |
Company is always willing to bear the costs of individuals accompanying the invited medical doctor on conferences | 175 (53) | 155 (47) | 135 (65.9) | 20 (16.0) | 0.09 (0.1–0.2) | 0.0005** |
Company offers payments in cash or cash equivalents to medical doctors | 233 (71) | 97 (29) | 88 (42.9) | 9 (7.2) | 0.103 (0.1–0.21) | 0.0005** |
Company always mark the samples with “Not for sale” tag | 36 (11) | 294 (89) | 181 (88.3) | 113 (90.4) | 1.25 (0.6–2.6) | 0.551 |
Company has the adequate system of controls and accountability for samples provided to medical doctors | 51 (15) | 279 (85) | 167 (81.5) | 112 (89.6) | 1.96 (0.9–3.8) | 0.047* |
Company fulfils health care provider’s request for any facilitation or gift | 151 (46) | 179 (54) | 146 (71.2) | 33 (26.4) | 0.145 (0.9–2.4) | 0.0005** |