Pharmaceutical Promotions and Compliance with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Prescribing Guidelines by General Practitioners in Mbarara

Abstract

Background: Generic prescribing effectively reduces dispensing errors and promotes the availability, access and quality of pharmaceutical products in health facilities or pharmacies. However, in Uganda, non-compliance with treatment guidelines is prevalent, with evidence of some General Practitioners (GPs) prescribing non-essential and obsolete drugs. This study examines the role of pharmaceutical promotions in creating awareness of new medicines among GPs and the potential influence of these promotions on prescribing practices. Methods: The study used a qualitative phenomenological research design. Key informant interviews were conducted with 33 experienced GPs from nine hospitals in Mbarara City, Uganda. The transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis. Results: Most GPs were male (78.79%), aged between 41-50 years (30.30%), with a work experience of 6-10 years (39.39%). All GPs had at least been exposed to pharmaceutical promotions such as free samples, visits from medical representatives, and Continuing Medical Education sessions. Most GPs had a positive outlook on these promotions, which they believed were informative, educational, and beneficial. However, the more GPs depend on pharmaceutical promotions, the less likely they are to follow the national or international guidelines for generic prescribing. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of ethical pharmaceutical promotion and the need for strict regulation by the National Drug Authority (NDA) to ensure that promotional activities do not compromise patient care and public health outcomes. The study recommends that GPs be more critical of the information and incentives provided during such promotions and should be trained in rational prescribing and evidence-based medicine.