News > Medicines information

The November 2008 issue of Health and Social Campaigners News International reports on the results of an survey of patient groups from around the world. 384 patient groups replied to this HSCNews survey, which was on the subject of patient group opinions of the pharmaceutical industry. The following is a selection of the results contained in the report.

• Just 37% of the 384 respondent groups say that they believe pharma companies are good (or better than good) at being trustworthy.
• This survey has found drug prices to be the most divisive issue between patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry. Up to 73% of the respondent groups think that pharma’s pricing policies benefit only the industry itself.
• 57% of the respondent patient groups believe that the marketing efforts made to doctors by pharmaceutical companies are for the sole benefit of pharma.
• Patient organisations have traditionally been supportive of pharmaceutical innovation. This survey, though, finds that such backing, while still present, may be waning, due to pharma’s reluctance to take more notice of what patients actually want from innovation (including products that better suit personal needs).
• The majority, or 67%, of respondents believe that pharma’s record is no better than fair, poor, or bad in improving patient compliance.
• The pharmaceutical industry wins plaudits from the majority of respondent patient groups in two of its activities: supplying patient information, and ensuring that products are safe.
• Respondents appear to believe that pharmaceutical companies, despite their failings, are trying to improve relationships with patient groups and their standing in the health advocacy community. 
  

To see a copy of the survey results click here.