Table 1.
a) Important in theory (n = 108) | b) Source for last ‘new’ drug prescribed (n = 90) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Information source | ‘Old’ drugs | ‘New’ drugs | |
Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin | 81% | 83% | 0% |
Medical journal articles | 63% | 77% | 9% |
Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) | 59% | 60% | 0% |
British National Formulary (BNF) | 58% | 56% | 0% |
Non-sponsored clinical meetings | 57% | 63% | 0% |
Primary care colleagues | 50% | 54% | 7% |
Consultant/hospital recommendation | 36% | 69% | 36% |
Pharmaceutical representatives | 26% | 62% | 42% |
Sponsored meetings | 21% | 44% | 1% |
Direct mail | 15% | 35% | 1% |
Journal advertisements | 12% | 24% | 4% |
Others | ni | ni | ni |
ni = not indicated. Percentages have been rounded.