DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i10.085

Pages: 4239-4243

Drug Promotional literatures (DPLs) form an important means of promotion of drugs. With a constant increase in number of brand drugs, an increased need of monitoring of DPLs is evident. In this single point observation study, new drug advertisement DPLs were collected from the desk of select prescribers in the institutes associated with a medical college according to convenient sampling. Collected DPLs were analyzed for appropriateness using WHO ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. A total of 53 new drug advertisement DPLs of drugs affecting various body systems were collected during the study period. Brand name (100%) and generic names (98.11%) were mentioned in most DPLs and were easily readable in majority DPLs. Very few DPLs (11.3%) mentioned details of inactive ingredient. Prescribing information such as therapeutic indications (94.3%), adverse reactions (86.7%), contraindications (90.5%), dosage form (100%), regimen (92.4%) and cautions (83%) were mentioned in majority of DPLs. Details of drug drug interactions were mentioned in 45.2% of DPLs. Details of manufacturer was provided in majority of DPLs, however, none mentioned details of distributors. Claims were present in majority of DPLs (94.3%) and majority (62.2%) were cited with a justifiable reference. Pictures used in DPLs were found to be inappropriate in significant number (41.5%) of DPLs. Supportive data, statistical data and data of post marketing surveillance were missing in majority of DPLs. While new drug advertisement DPLs provide good amount of prescribing information, improvement is required in provision of details regarding inactive ingredients, drug drug interactions, post marketing surveillance, statistical and supportive data.