Rev. OFIL 2017, 27;4:347-351
Fecha de recepción: 10/11/2016 – Fecha de aceptación: 26/01/2017
Conte Valdes E1, Morales Araúz Y2, Herrera Ballesteros V1, Zamorano Castillero C3, Gómez Quintero B1, Toro Lozano J3
1 Departamento de Investigación y Evaluación de Tecnología Sanitaria del
Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (Panamá)
2 Universidad Latina de Panamá (Panamá)
3 Caja de Seguro Social (Panamá)
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Correspondencia:
Eric Conte Valdes
Apartado postal 0831-02496, Paitilla (Panamá)
Correo electrónico: econte@gorgas.gob.pa
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SUMMARY
Objective: To detect the influence of promotion and advertising in the rational use of drugs in Panama.
Methods: Four areas were established in major cities of the Panama Republic, where we obtain advertising pieces properly defined in pharmacies and private medical clinics. It was recorded advertising activity on commercial national television, radio and newspapers for a 45 days period by the established procedure, using as variables, the ethical criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and national legislation governing for the promotion and advertising of drugs in Panama.
Results: The survey included 133 establishments, 86% where private pharmacies finding affordable advertising for patients. There was no statistically significant difference in pharmacies and private clinics that suggested the same incidence of advertising exposure. 204 advertising pieces were obtained; the most frequent was leaflet, 61%. From 276 commercial products found, 67% were drugs. Advertising was mostly for products that do not need a prescription, most were sexual potentiators. Only 8% of the information offered to professionals was classified as technical and scientific.
Conclusions: The promotional material for patients and health professionals does not comply technical and ethical criteria outlined by the World Health Organization and national standards. Our study found that advertising impacts at the moment of acquisition of a drug. It is important to promote campaigns about the rational use of drugs, oriented to the population and health professionals.
Key Words: Medicine, promotion, advertising, rational use.
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