Ethical Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Marketing in Sana’a City, Yemen

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Gamil Q. Othman ◽  
Abdulsalam M. Halboup ◽  
Mohammed M. Battah
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Pharmaceutical Marketing ◽  
Marketing Ethics ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives: To evaluate the ethics of pharmaceutical marketing practices in Sana’a city, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 physicians and 50 pharmaceutical companies in the period from March to August 2018. Data about pharmaceutical marketing ethics were collected from physicians and pharmaceutical companies using two types of self-administrated, structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.0. Results: The majority of physicians (60.0%) agreed that medical samples had been used most frequently as a promotional tool for pharmaceutical marketing, followed by gifts (14.0%). More than half of physicians were satisfied with the way of pharmaceutical marketing in Yemen. Personal relationships and medical samples and gifts were the factors affecting their prescriptions, being reported by about a third of physicians each. Meanwhile, most physicians (44.0%) preferred medical conferences and exhibitions as a promotional benefit to be gotten for prescribing the company’s products. The majority of physicians (62.0%) agreed that the availability of medical samples affect their prescriptions, and about 28.2% of physicians reported that all medical samples are used by their patients. Most physicians (37.0%) perceived that only 50% of medical representatives respond well to their queries related to marketed drugs, and 41.5% of physicians agreed that global companies are more compliant with ethical marketing. About 60% of the physicians reported not facing unethical promotions, and the majority (54.0%) agreed that unethical pharmaceutical marketing is the responsibility of companies, physicians, and representatives. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of drug prescriptions affected by medical representative visits and availability of medical samples on prescription in relation to the work experience of physicians. On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference in facing an unethical promotion offered by companies for prescribing their products and the attribution of unethical pharmaceutical marketing in relation to the type of medical profession of physicians. Conclusions: Pharmaceutical marketing in Yemen still depends on traditional tools, with the lack of ethical guidelines or codes for pharmaceutical marketing in the country. Work experience and medical profession of physicians can significantly affect pharmaceutical marketing. The spread of unethical marketing is the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies, physicians and medical representatives. Therefore, it is recommended to develop well-defined and updated ethical standards and national guidelines for pharmaceutical marketing by the Ministry of Public Health and Population. Furthermore, official campaigns should be regularly carried out to control and restrict unethical promotion. Further studies on the ethics of pharmaceutical marketing are also recommended. Pharmaceutical companies should continuously train their medical representatives and provide physicians with the latest medical knowledge about new drugs. Keywords: Pharmaceutical marketing, Ethics, IFPMA guidelines, Sana’a

scholarly journals Doctors recognized by the British honours systems: A retrospective analysis of the last decade

2011 ◽  
Vol 104 (12) ◽  
pp. 521-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shofiq Islam ◽  
Jennifer L Cole ◽  
Christopher J Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Public Health Medicine ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The World

Objectives The British honours system is one of the oldest in the world rewarding individuals, including those of the medical profession. The authors were interested to see if any particular specialty was honoured to a greater extent. We aimed to establish the number of those honoured, the duration of clinical practice involved, as well as additional factors. Design A retrospective analysis of doctors receiving honours (Knight/Dame, CBE, OBE, MBE) in the last decade was performed. Setting UK-registered doctors. Participants Doctors were identified from publicly available listings. Main outcome measures Demographics of all honoured doctors, including number of years of service, specialty affiliation and the number of recipients holding professorial status were collected. Clinicians were stratified into four subgroups: General Practitioners, Physicians, Surgeons and Others. Data were analysed using parametric statistical tests. Results Four hundred and seventeen doctors were identified. Four hundred and two clinicians had a documented subspecialty affiliation. Of the 402: GPs ( n = 142), Physicians ( n = 100), Surgeons ( n = 34) and Others ( n = 126). The number of years in clinical practice from registration to conference of honours was significantly shorter for GPs when compared to hospital-based specialties ( P < 0.05). The top 10 specialties of individuals honoured are tabulated. Professors constituted 30% ( n = 131) of those honoured. These individuals were sub-divided according to specialty affiliation with a significant difference observed ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The most honoured specialty was General Practice. However, when corrected for total subspecialty population, the number one ranking specialty was Public Health Medicine. Academic clinicians are well represented. The findings may be of interest to the medical community.

Evaluation of strategic thinking and its affecting factors among managers and personnel in a medical sciences university in Iran

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Salavati ◽  
Mohammad Amerzadeh ◽  
Amjad Mohammadi Bolbanabad ◽  
Bakhtiar Piroozi ◽  
Shilan Amirihoseini
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Strategic Thinking ◽  
Affecting Factors ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose Prediction of future changes and making appropriate strategic decisions require strategic thinking in any organization. It helps managers to create new opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to measure strategic thinking and its affecting factors at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive-analytic as well as a cross-sectional study which was conducted in 2016. Its statistical community included 300 managers and personnel of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was equal to statistical community. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Data were then entered into SPSS20 and were analyzed using statistical tests such as Freedman, Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis. Findings Overall, strategic thinking was evaluated “good” and “somewhat good” among managers (5.0±72.28) and personnel (6.0±25.48), respectively. Moreover, among the elements of strategic thinking, conceptual thinking obtained the highest score among both managers (6.0±06.32) and personnel (5.0±53.52), which was evaluated in a “good” level. There was a significant difference between managers’ and personnel’s strategic thinking score (p=0.001). Different education groups of managers and personnel were different in terms of strategic thinking (p<0.05), but strategic thinking score of managers and personnel were not significant based on the work experience and type of employment. Originality/value Although both managers and personnel received a good score in terms of strategic thinking, improving the level of strategic thinking especially for future trends and opportunities can lead to enhanced strategic thinking among managers and personnel of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

scholarly journals Productivity Measurement: A Study of Selected Pharmaceutical Companies in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-112
Author(s):  
Abhisha Dadhaniya
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Productivity Analysis ◽  
Productivity Measurement ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Average Productivity ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose: This study aims to measure, analyze, and compare the productivity performance of selected pharmaceutical companies in India. Approach/Methodology/Design: This study is based on secondary data. In this study, seven pharmaceutical companies are selected as a sample based on paid-up capital of the year 2019-20. The seven companies are selected for their higher paid-up capital, and the study period is seven years from 2013-14 to 2019-20. In this study ratio analysis is used as an accounting tool in which four productivity ratios are employed. The one-way ANOVA technique of parametric test is used as a statistical tool to identify the difference among sample means. Findings: The major findings of the study indicate that in all the selected companies the performance of material productivity, labor productivity and overhead productivity show fluctuating trend. The overall productivity performance of all the companies is very close to each other during the study period of seven years. The result of the statistical tests revealed that in all productivity ratios drawn null hypotheses are not accepted. This means there is a significant difference in different productivity ratios among selected pharmaceutical companies during the study period. Practical Implications: In this study, productivity analysis is carried out which is helpful to measure the productivity performance. The results would help investors to make the right choice of investment in selected pharmaceutical companies. Given the present situation of COVID-19, productivity analysis will be helpful to identify the existing production capacity in concern with pharmaceutical products and services. Originality/value: The significant contribution of this study is to measure the various productivity performances of pharmaceutical companies. Further, the average productivity performance is compared among the seven selected pharmaceutical companies, which shows that average productivity performance is different among the selected companies.

scholarly journals The European campaign to fight musculoskeletal disorders - the need for eHealth

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Hristova ◽  
N Tzacheva ◽  
T Kundurzhiev ◽  
M Stoycheva
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The study is based on the National Science Program 'eHealth in Bulgaria (e-Health)', funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Partnership Contract No. D-01-200/16.11.2018. Background The focus of the European Health and Safety Agency's 2020-2022 campaign is on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In the employment of medical professionals, they are common. The introduction of eHealth in Bulgaria supports the processes of information, monitoring and prevention. Methods An adapted Neck Injury Index (NII) questionnaire was developed by: Vernon, H. & Mior, S. (1991) to determine specific injuries in the cervical spine, administered to 251 healthcare professionals from a large medical establishment. Results A study of the relationship between gender and the answers given in the ten sections of the questionnaire revealed a statistically significant difference in the answers for 'headache', 'driving' and 'sleeping' with p = 0.005, p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.020 respectively. 74.6% of men and 63.7% of women gave negative answers for headache, no driving pain, with men leading by 92.3% and a lower proportion of women than 56.1%, and without any sleep disturbances. 94.9% of men and 68.9% of women surveyed. The relationship between the profession and the medical profession indicating symptoms of neck damage, statistical significance was confirmed except in the above sections and also in 'lifting weights' (p = 0.009) and 'reading' with p = 0.002. As 65.3% of physicians, 51.9% of healthcare professionals and 56.5% of paramedics have no complaints of additional neck pain when lifting weights. A significant correlation was also found between mild injury rate (10 to 28%) and work experience over 10 years in 53.5% of those working in the hospital (p = 0.031). Conclusions The multifactorial influence of gender, position, and special length of service in the surveyed health care professionals did not cause symptoms indicating specific changes in the neck. Key messages It is important to establish a database through the introduction of eHealth with an information system. Identification changes in health and the presence of MSD in working nurses.

Rice tablet (Aluminum Phosphide) poisoning

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 5041
Author(s):  
Farkhondeh Jamshidi ◽  
Ahmad Ghorbani ◽  
Sina Darvishi*
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Aluminum Phosphide ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning ◽  
Commit Suicide

The abuse of some pesticides especially to suicide is one of the current problems of pesticides. Aluminum phosphide induced poisoning usually happens to suicide and sometimes it is due to accidental occupational exposure and in a few cases it has some criminal intensions. This study is conducted to evaluate patients poisoned with aluminum phosphide. In the present study the medical records of cases of poisoning with rice tablets (aluminum phosphide) hospitalized in Ahvaz Razi hospital is studied. Accordingly, a checklist is prepared that included demographic information of patients (age, gender) and information on patient records (information on poisoning) are completed using the patients’ medical records. The analysis of data is done by SPSS V22. 18 patients poisoned with rice tablet (aluminum phosphide) are studied. Results of the study show that 11 patients are male and seven are female. The mean patient age is 27.06 ±8.04 years that is 28 ±9 and 25 ±6.02 in men and women respectively. Statistical tests show no statistically significant difference in mean age in both genders (P> 0.05). Among patients, 11 subjects took aluminum phosphide to attempt suicide and 3 cases took it unintentionally and of course the reason is not mentioned in four cases. Among the patients who tried to commit suicide by taking aluminum phosphide, 6 cases are male and 5 cases are female that no statistically significant difference is observed between the genders in this respect (P> 0.05). In addition to the study of the complications caused by this poisoning and its mortality, it is recommended to responsible authorities to provide the necessary educations and treatments to prevent this type of poisoning.

scholarly journals AB0655 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY BEFORE AND AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.1-1360
Author(s):  
M. Jordhani ◽  
D. Ruci ◽  
F. Skana ◽  
E. Memlika
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
World Population ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Das 28 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Background:The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a great impact on world population due to morbidity, mortality and restriction measures in order to stop the progression of COVID-19.Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletic diseases, and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, being one of the vulnerable classes of chronic patients, were recommended to follow the government’s rules1.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate DAS-28-ESR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after lockdown period.Methods:This is a multi-center observational study including 85 patients which were evaluated before and after lockdown for their disease activity score according to DAS-28-ESR score. They had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis more than 5 years ago. A thorough physical examination was performed before and after the lockdown period. It included examination of tender and swollen joints and patient’s global health. They were completed with all required laboratory data, including erythrosedimentation rate. For a more accurate calculation, DAS-28-ESR was used in an electronic version. Patients with other inflammatory or infective diseases were excluded from the study. All data were statistically evaluated using statistical tests such as t-student test.Results:The first group (the one before lockdown) had an average DAS-28-ESR of 4.7 while after the lockdown period, the average DAS-28-ESR was 5.16.After statistically evaluating all data, it was found that there exists a significant difference between DAS-28-ESR score before and after COVID-19 lockdown (p=0.0011).Conclusion:Our study showed that lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic, has aggravated disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This may be consequence of various causes such as physical inactivity and difficulty to follow-up or to take the medication properly.References:[1]Landewé RB, Machado PM, Kroon F, et al, EULAR provisional recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:851-858.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals Association of interleukin-17A rs2275913 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility in Sudanese population

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110202
Author(s):  
Rgda Mohamed Osman ◽  
Mounkaila Noma ◽  
Abdallah Elssir Ahmed ◽  
Hanadi Abdelbagi ◽  
Rihab Ali Omer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Molecular Technique ◽  
Interleukin 17A ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study aimed to determine the association of interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis in Sudanese patients. Methods: A case–control study was conducted between March and December 2018. Clinical and demographic data of the study participants were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular technique was done to investigate interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphisms. All statistical tests were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study population included 266 participants aged between 1 and 85 years, with an average of 40 years, classified into 85 (31.2%) cases (mean age 48.5 ± 11.3 years), and 181 (68.8%) controls (mean age 35.3 ± 15.9 years). The interleukin-17A homozygote AA genotype was more frequent among the control group compared to the case group; 95 (52.5%) and 7 (8.2%), respectively. The homozygote GG and the heterozygote AG genotypes were proportionally not different among the cases and control groups; 13 (54.2%) and 11 (45.8%), and 65 (46.4%) and 75 (53.6%), respectively. According to the distribution of interleukin-17A genotypes, a statistically significant difference was observed among cases with the interleukin-17A AA and AG genotypes, p values 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. For the association interleukin-17A genotypes and family history a negatively significant association was reported (95% confidence interval, –0.219, p value = 0.001). There was also a negatively significant association of interleukin-17A genotypes and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (95% confidence interval, −0.141, p value = 0.002). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Sudan established the association between interleukin-17A-197G/A (rs2275913) polymorphisms and susceptibly to rheumatoid arthritis. These findings appeal for further research in Sudan to investigate the exact role of IL-17A in immunopathology and disease severity among Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis

scholarly journals THU0517 THE ROLE OF ULTRASOUND-DEFINED SYNOVITIS GRADE I IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRALGIA, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 497.2-497
Author(s):  
J. Arroyo Palomo ◽  
M. Arce Benavente ◽  
C. Pijoan Moratalla ◽  
B. A. Blanco Cáceres ◽  
A. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Inflammatory Arthritis ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Painful Joint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specialized Unit

Background:Musculoeskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is frequently used in several rheumatology units to detect subclinical inflammation in patients with joint symptoms suspected for progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA). Synovitis grade I (EULAR-OMERACT combined score) is known to be a casual finding in healthy individuals, but studies headed to unravel its possible role on rheumatic diseases are sparse.Objectives:To investigate the correlation between synovitis grade I, and the diagnosis of IA made after a year follow-up period since MSUS findings, in patients of an MSUS-specialized unit of a Rheumatology Department.Methods:We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and unicentric study. 30 patients were selected from the MSUS-specialized unit of our Rheumatology Department from July-18 to January-19. Patients presenting synovitis grade 0 (exclusively), 2 and/or 3 on combined score were excluded. Data collection at baseline included age, sex, immunological profile and previous physical examination to the MSUS findings, as well as the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist in 1-year visit follow-up: dividing the patient sample into two groups: those who were diagnosed with IA and those not. Non-parametric statistical tests for comparing means were used.Results:The mean age was 51,6 years and 70% were females. 6 (20%) patients were diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis after a year follow-up: 2 (4,8%) psoriatic arthritis, 1 (3,3%) undifferentiated arthritis, 1 (3,3%) rheumatoid arthritis, 1 (3,3%) Sjögren’s syndrome. Non-inflammatory arthropathies were also found 24 (80%), of which, 12 (40%) were non-specific arthralgias and 8 (19%) osteoarthritis.In the group of patients who did not developed an IA the mean C-reactive protein (CPR) value was 3,12 mg/L and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 8,2 mm; all of them were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and ACPA-negative except one patient. 5 (31,3%) patients presented low antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) levels. In those who HLA B-27 and Cw6 were tested (4,25%); both were negative except for one that was HLA B-27 positive. The median number of swollen and painful joint count was 0, and the mean of joints with MSUS involvement was 3,5; the mean involved metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was 1,83; proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was 1,48 and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints 0,21.Among the group of patients that developed an IA the mean of CPR and ESR was 9,27 mg/L and 14,17 mm respectively; 2 (33%) patients were RF- positive, and 1 ACPA-positive. ANAs were positive in 3 cases (50%). The median of swollen joint count was 2 and for painful joint count was 0, the median of joints with MSUS involvement was 4,5. The mean of MSUS involvement was for MCP, PIP and DIP joints: 1,67, 2 and 0. Comparing the means of CPR values in the two groups with Student’s t-test we obtained a statistically significant difference (p=0,023). No other significant differences were found.Conclusion:Despite the limitations and possible statistical bias, the presence of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I and elevated CRP levels could be related to further diagnoses of inflammatory arthropathy. Besides, the absence of synovitis in DIP joints might have a diagnostic role. Normal physical exploration and normal levels of CRP might suggest low MSUS value. However, further research is needed to clarify the role of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I.References:[1]D’Agostino MA et al. Scoring ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a EULAR-OMERACT ultrasound taskforce-Part 1: definition and development of a standardized, consensus-based scoring system. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000428.[2]Van den Berg R et al. What is the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients presenting with arthralgia to predict inflammatory arthritis development? A systematic literature review. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2018) 20:228.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Stereotactic Electroencephalography Is Associated With Reduced Pain and Opioid Use When Compared with Subdural Grids: A Case Series

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P Scoville ◽  
Evan Joyce ◽  
Joshua Hunsaker ◽  
Jared Reese ◽  
Herschel Wilde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract BACKGROUND Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been shown to decrease length of hospital stay and opioid use. OBJECTIVE To identify whether surgery for epilepsy mapping via MIS stereotactically placed electroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes decreased overall opioid use when compared with craniotomy for EEG grid placement (ECoG). METHODS Patients who underwent surgery for epilepsy mapping, either SEEG or ECoG, were identified through retrospective chart review from 2015 through 2018. The hospital stay was separated into specific time periods to distinguish opioid use immediately postoperatively, throughout the rest of the stay and at discharge. The total amount of opioids consumed during each period was calculated by transforming all types of opioids into their morphine equivalents (ME). Pain scores were also collected using a modification of the Clinically Aligned Pain Assessment (CAPA) scale. The 2 surgical groups were compared using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS The study identified 43 patients who met the inclusion criteria: 36 underwent SEEG placement and 17 underwent craniotomy grid placement. There was a statistically significant difference in median opioid consumption per hospital stay between the ECoG and the SEEG placement groups, 307.8 vs 71.5 ME, respectively (P = .0011). There was also a significant difference in CAPA scales between the 2 groups (P = .0117). CONCLUSION Opioid use is significantly lower in patients who undergo MIS epilepsy mapping via SEEG compared with those who undergo the more invasive ECoG procedure. As part of efforts to decrease the overall opioid burden, these results should be considered by patients and surgeons when deciding on surgical methods.

Fake Pharmaceuticals: How They and Relevant Legislation or Lack Thereof Contribute to Consistently High and Increasing Drug Prices

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-542
Author(s):  
Merri C. Moken
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Brand Name ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals ◽  
New Applications

The use of pharmaceutical products in the United States has increased more than the use of any other health resource from 1960 to 1990. In excess of 9,600 drugs were on the market in 1984, and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approves approximately 30 new drugs and countless new applications for alterations of already existing drugs each year. In 2001, the $300 billion pharmaceutical industry sold $154 billion worth of prescription drugs in the United States alone, nearly doubling its $78.9 billion in sales in 1997. With such a rapid increase in market domination and expenditures, the U.S. government and many hospitals have focused their attention on the sales and pricing practices of pharmaceutical companies, as well as other potential factors contributing to these escalating prices. One such cause of the steadily increasing prices of brand name pharmaceuticals is the sale of fake or counterfeit pharmaceuticals (also called “look-alike” drugs).

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