Drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals: Are they ethical?

CONTEXT: It is observed in studies done for western medical journals that insufficient information related to drug is usually provided in the drug advertisements published in them. AIMS: As data for advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals were lacking, this study was designed with the aim of evaluating drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals for adequacy of information on drug and references given to support the claim made in the advertisements. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All medical journals related to clinical practice subscribed by the Central Library of Government Medical College, Surat, (Indian Journal of Pediatrics [IJP], Indian Pediatrics [IP], Journal of the Association of Physicians of India [JAPI], Journal of Indian Medical Association [JIMA], Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine [IJCCM], Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology [IJMPO], Indian Journal of Gastroenterology [IJG], Indian Journal of Ophthalmology [IJO], and Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India [JOGI] were evaluated for adequacy of reporting of various parameters in drug advertisements published in these journals on the basis of “World Heath Organization (WHO)” criteria. References mentioned to support claims were also evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics was used to describe data as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence interval around the percentage. RESULTS: Generic name was mentioned in 90% advertisements. Indications were mentioned in 84% advertisements. Dose, precautions, and contraindications were mentioned in 24%, 17%, and 16% advertisements, respectively. Adverse effects and postal address of pharmaceutical company was mentioned in 19% and 74% advertisements, respectively. Price was mentioned in only 5% advertisements. Only 28% claims were supported by references. Most common references were Journal articles (75%). CONCLUSION: Drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals are poor in reporting various parameters according to WHO criteria.