Biomaterial Database

Overpromotion of drugs in international product package inserts. 1983

N G Osifo

A study of the drug-labelling information contained in international product package inserts (PPIs) available in Nigeria in comparison with similar information in the United States Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) was undertaken, against a background of recently-improved drug control regulations in Nigeria. The findings indicate that most multinational pharmaceutical firms, especially through their affiliates and subsidiaries, overpromote their drugs for extra indications and with mention of fewer hazards in the PPIs, than in the PDR. For some drugs with known, medically-stringent indications or low therapeutic indices, a few drug companies appeared to exert discretional restraint on overpromotion by providing the same content of information in the PPIs as in the PDR. The present study suggests that merely intending a better drug control with more sophisticated regulations which are not enforced may not cure the exploitative attitude of multinational drug companies and their subsidiaries or affiliates, in overpromoting pharmaceutical products through PPIs destined for countries with a literally free drug market.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009549	Nigeria	A republic in western Africa, south of NIGER between BENIN and CAMEROON. Its capital is Abuja.	Federal Republic of Nigeria
D003906	Developing Countries	Countries in the process of change with economic growth, that is, an increase in production, per capita consumption, and income. The process of economic growth involves better utilization of natural and human resources, which results in a change in the social, political, and economic structures.	LMICs,Less-Developed Countries,Low Income Countries,Low and Middle Income Countries,Lower-Middle-Income Country,Middle Income Countries,Third-World Countries,Under-Developed Countries,Developing Nations,Least Developed Countries,Less-Developed Nations,Third-World Nations,Under-Developed Nations,Countries, Middle Income,Countries, Third-World,Country, Least Developed,Country, Less-Developed,Country, Low Income,Country, Lower-Middle-Income,Country, Middle Income,Country, Third-World,Country, Under-Developed,Developed Country, Least,Developing Country,Developing Nation,Least Developed Country,Less Developed Countries,Less Developed Nations,Less-Developed Country,Less-Developed Nation,Low Income Country,Lower Middle Income Country,Lower-Middle-Income Countries,Middle Income Country,Nation, Less-Developed,Nation, Third-World,Nation, Under-Developed,Third World Countries,Third World Nations,Third-World Country,Third-World Nation,Under Developed Countries,Under Developed Nations,Under-Developed Country,Under-Developed Nation
D004345	Drug Industry	That segment of commercial enterprise devoted to the design, development, and manufacture of chemical products for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, disability, or other dysfunction, or to improve function.	Industries, Pharmaceutic,Industry, Drug,Industry, Pharmaceutic,Industry, Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutical Industry,Drug Industries,Industries, Drug,Industries, Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutic Industries,Pharmaceutic Industry,Pharmaceutical Industries
D004348	Drug Labeling	Use of written, printed, or graphic materials upon or accompanying a drug container or wrapper. It includes contents, indications, effects, dosages, routes, methods, frequency and duration of administration, warnings, hazards, contraindications, side effects, precautions, and other relevant information.	Labeling, Drug,Package Inserts, Drug,Product Labeling, Drug,Black Box Warning,Boxed Warning,Drug Labelling,Black Box Warnings,Box Warning, Black,Box Warnings, Black,Boxed Warnings,Drug Package Insert,Drug Package Inserts,Drug Product Labeling,Insert, Drug Package,Inserts, Drug Package,Labeling, Drug Product,Labelling, Drug,Package Insert, Drug,Warning, Black Box,Warning, Boxed,Warnings, Black Box,Warnings, Boxed