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Table 3 Provision of information

From: Medicines information provided by pharmaceutical representatives: a comparative study in Australia and Malaysia

Information

 

Australia n/58 (%)

Malaysia n/125 (%)

Approved product information sheet given

Yes

31 (53)

97 (78)

 

No

27 (47)

28 (22)

  

^P < 0.001

 

Indications

Yes

52 (90)

116 (93)

 

No

6 (10)

7 (5)

 

Unsure

0

2 (2)

  

^*P = 0.33

 

Dosage

Yes

44 (76)

103 (82)

 

No

14 (24)

22 (18)

  

^P = 0.30

 

Contraindications

Yes

19 (33)

50 (40)

 

No

37 (64)

72 (58)

 

Unsure

2 (3)

3 (2)

  

^*P = 0.37

 

Precautions

Yes

21(36)

38 (30)

 

No

34 (59)

82 (66)

 

Unsure

3 (5)

5 (4)

  

^*P = 0.40

 

Drug interactions

Yes

19 (33)

31 (25)

 

No

38 (65)

89 (71)

 

Unsure

1 (2)

5 (4)

  

^*P = 0.30

 

Adverse effects

Yes

24 (41)

45 (36)

 

No

33 (57)

73 (58)

 

Unsure

1 (2)

7 (6)

  

*P = 0.61

 

Did the representative answer your questions on contraindications, precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects?

Yes

34/45 (76)

60/105 (57)

 

No

2/45 (4)

7/105 (7)

 

Partly

9/45 (20)

38/105 (36)

 

No question asked

13

20

  

^&P = 0.10

 

Given the nature of the drug detailed, do you think the representative should have mentioned contraindications, precautions for use, drug interaction or adverse effects spontaneously?

Yes

35 (60)

106 (85)

 

No

23 (40)

19 (15)

  

^P < 0.001

 
  1. *Chi square test for questions that included variable "unsure" was calculated based on categorical variables "Yes" and "No" only.
  2. &Chi square test for a question with a variable "no question asked" was calculated based on categorical variables "Yes", "No" and "Partly" only.
  3. ^ P-value (Comparison Australia and Malaysia)