Pharmacists’ Perception of Pharmaceutical Representatives’ Practices of Drug Promotion in North-Eastern Romania

Résumé

The promotion, prescription and dispensing are influenced by a number of factors that ultimately impact the health of the main beneficiaries of health services patients. The purpose of the study: identifying perception of pharmacists on drug promotion practices adopted by pharmaceutical representatives. Material and Methods: A total of 72 pharmacists responded to a questionnaire about their perceptions on drug promotion practices by pharmaceutical representatives, both in relation to pharmacists and doctors in the relationship. Variables such as age, work environment (urban, rural), seniority, were considered. Pharmacists aged between 24 and 68 years (38 ±10.57991), with a number of years experience in the pharmaceutical field between 1-48 years old (14.4265 ± 11.30489) Results: Of all pharmacists who responded to the questionnaire, a percentage of 47.8% say they have no information about the existence of an ethical code of the pharmaceutical company, and 52.1% believe that there is such a code. Pharmacists estimated that over 75% of pharmaceutical representatives promote clearly the products; the information provided is accurate, complete and balanced enough to compete. No pharmacist said it did not receive commercial offers from reps. Significant differences were found in age, seniority and working environment. Conclusions: over 75% of pharmaceutical representatives are appreciated because it provides clear, accurate, complete information about the medicines they promote. An actual dilemma about Romanian legislation regarding the pharmaceutical representative is presented.