1 National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2022 | Vol 12 | Issue 08 (Online First) RESEARCH ARTICLE Perception of resident doctors regarding promotional drug literature Gaurav G Kakasaniya, Ruchita J Mer, Sunita B Chhaiya, Dimple S Mehta Department of Pharmacology, C. U. Shah Medical College and Hospital, Surendranagar, Gujarat, India Corresponding: Gaurav G. Kakasaniya, E-mail: gauravkakasaniya45@gmail.com Received: December 06, 2021; Accepted: December 24, 2021 ABSTRACT Background: Promotional drug literature (PDL) seems to be the source of information most commonly used by physicians to update their knowledge on existing and new drugs. Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of resident doctors about PDL. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational, questionnaire-based study. Approved by institutional Ethics committee. A pre-validated questionnaire (google form) was sent among the resident doctors. A total of 50 residents voluntarily participated in the study. The collected data were analyzed as frequencies and percentage. Results: About 88% of residents were aware about term PDL. Only 50% resident doctors felt that PDL provides adequate drug information. Around 78% participants were aware that both forms of nomenclature should be included in PDL. Almost 92% participants had knowledge regarding complete drug information in PDL. Regarding safety information, 70% resident doctors felt that contraindication should be included in PDL. About 48% participants agreed that PDL might influence prescribing practice. Around 78% participants agreed that doctors’ integrity could compromised by accepting gifts from pharmaceutical representative. Conclusion: However, participants had knowledge about PDL but there is a need to educate students at an early stage about ethical guidelines for assessing PDL. KEY WORDS: Drug Promotional Literature; Knowledge; Attitude; Resident Doctors INTRODUCTION The WHO defines promotion literature Literature (PDL) as “all informational and persuasive activities by manufacturers, the effect of which is to induce the prescription, supply, purchase, and/or use of medicinal drugs. [1] ” Pharmaceutical companies develop, introduce, and sell many novel drugs on a regular basis. For them to be accepted and used in the healthcare system, the healthcare professionals need to be made aware of the correct scientific information about the drugs and their availability. Drug promotion can be done by various methods Access this article online Website: www.njppp.com Quick Response code DOI: 10.5455/njppp.2022.12.12457202124122021 National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology Online 2022. © 2022 Gaurav G Kakasaniya et al., This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license. such as audiovisuals, drug reminders, and pamphlets. [2] Out of all the types of drug promotions, promotional literature seems to be the source of information most commonly used by physicians to update their knowledge on existing and new drugs. Hence, PDL should contain information that is most important and accurate. In 2005, the pharmaceutical industry in the USA has spent more than 30 billion dollars in marketing and promoting to enlighten the clinicians about their products. Such marketing influences clinician’s prescribing behavior with or without benefitting the patient. [3] For the manufacturers and distributors of these drugs, the sole important focus remains promoting them to prescribers, who are their target audience. [4] Heavy promotion of latest drugs results in widespread prescribing and use before the safety profile of those products is fully understood. Without any evidence on therapeutic outcomes, the older ones would be replaced by more costly and new medicines. [5] “WHO, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, and the Organization of Pharmaceutical National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology