BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical sales representatives and direct-to-consumer advertising may influence physician practices, particularly prescribing. Identifying the relevant knowledge and attitudes students possess about the pharmaceutical industry may help professional curricula address these influences. PURPOSES: To assess knowledge and attitudes toward pharmaceutical industry marketing, ethical principles guiding drug company interactions, pharmaceutical sales representatives as a source of drug information, and confidence level in addressing consumers seeking a prescription from a direct-to-consumer advertisement among senior-level medical, PharmD, and nurse practitioner students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess student knowledge and attitudes of four domains associated with the pharmaceutical industry. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were noted in student knowledge of pharmaceutical marketing expenditures, professional ethics regarding interactions with drug companies, and accuracy of drug information from sales representatives. CONCLUSIONS: Health professional students' knowledge and attitudes toward the pharmaceutical industry are formed prior to graduation. Professional curricula must address the influences of sales representatives before postgraduate training.
BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical sales representatives and direct-to-consumer advertising may influence physician practices, particularly prescribing. Identifying the relevant knowledge and attitudes students possess about the pharmaceutical industry may help professional curricula address these influences. PURPOSES: To assess knowledge and attitudes toward pharmaceutical industry marketing, ethical principles guiding drug company interactions, pharmaceutical sales representatives as a source of drug information, and confidence level in addressing consumers seeking a prescription from a direct-to-consumer advertisement among senior-level medical, PharmD, and nurse practitioner students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess student knowledge and attitudes of four domains associated with the pharmaceutical industry. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were noted in student knowledge of pharmaceutical marketing expenditures, professional ethics regarding interactions with drug companies, and accuracy of drug information from sales representatives. CONCLUSIONS: Health professional students' knowledge and attitudes toward the pharmaceutical industry are formed prior to graduation. Professional curricula must address the influences of sales representatives before postgraduate training.
Authors: Rupali K Naik; Matthew E Borrego; Gireesh V Gupchup; Melanie Dodd; Mike R Sather Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2007-10-15 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Peggy Piascik; Daphne Bernard; Suresh Madhavan; Todd D Sorensen; Steve C Stoner; Tom TenHoeve Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2007-08-15 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Melissa A Fischer; Mary Ellen Keough; Joann L Baril; Laura Saccoccio; Kathleen M Mazor; Elissa Ladd; Ann Von Worley; Jerry H Gurwitz Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2009-05-08 Impact factor: 5.128