Donald L. Sullivan

Consumer Retention of Risk Information from Direct-To-Consumer Advertising

The objective of this study was to determine if consumers retain risk information from direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). The study design utilized a postgroup only control group design. Study participants were randomly selected from a statewide database of men between the ages of 60–75. These sampling criteria were selected because the ads used in the study were related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The 1093 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: disease-specific institutional ad group, product-specific ad group, or the control group. Participants in the two treatment groups were sent ads at one-week intervals for three weeks. A self-administered mailed questionnaire was used for data collection and mailed one week after the last ad was sent. The results show there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups regarding the correct answering of any of the risk information questions. A post hoc analysis of the data by whether the respondents indicated they had seen an ad for the product or had used the product in the past, however, yielded different results. Respondents who reported they had seen an ad for the product could have seen the ad from some other media source other than the intervention used in this study. These results show that having seen an ad for the product in the past does increase risk information retention. Past experience in taking the product, however, provides an even greater degree of retention of risk information, but may also provide a false sense of knowledge regarding some types of risk information.

A Pharmacy Business Management Simulation Exercise as a Practical Application of Business Management Material and Principles

Objective. To implement a pharmacy business management simulation exercise as a practical application of business management material and principles and assess students’ perceived value. Design. As part of a pharmacy management and administration course, students made various calculations and management decisions in the global categories of hours of operation, inventory, pricing, and personnel. The students entered the data into simulation software and a realistic community pharmacy marketplace was modeled. Course topics included accounting, economics, finance, human resources, management, marketing, and leadership. Assessment. An 18-item posttest survey was administered. Students’ slightly to moderately agreed the pharmacy simulation program enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly of inventory management, cash flow statements, balance sheets, and income statements. Overall attitudes toward the pharmacy simulation program were also slightly positive and students also slightly agreed the pharmacy simulation program enhanced their learning of pharmacy business management. Inventory management was the only area in which students felt they had at least “some” exposure to the assessed business management topics during IPPEs/internship, while all other areas of experience ranged from “not at all” to “a little.” Conclusion. The pharmacy simulation program is an effective active-learning exercise and enhanced students’ knowledge and understanding of the business management topics covered.

Evaluating Consumer Understanding of Two Patient Instructions for Use Inserts Provided by Manufacturers

In addition to the approved package inserts, manufacturers of certain prescription drug products provide approved patient instructions for use inserts to increase patients’ understanding of their medication, aid in its use, and improve compliance. However, the extent to which consumers understand and use the information provided in these inserts is not known. The purpose of this study was to assess these patient instructions for use in inserts supplied in addition to the normal package inserts from the manufacturer. Ohio consumers between the ages of 18 and 70 were randomly selected for inclusion. Two diverse patient instructions for use from the same product class, Flonase and Nasonex, were evaluated in the study. Sixty-three consumers completed and returned the self-administered questionnaire, which contained 47 questions and used a Likert-type scale with 1 = strongly disagree to 6 = strongly agree. After data analysis was completed, it was found the inserts were not too complex, and were viewed as educational and a reliable source of drug information. Also, consumers felt very confident that they could use the products correctly. In conclusion, these inserts appear to be well understoud, informative, educational, and a useful source of drug information.