Public perception on pharmaceutical marketing practices in India an exploratory study

Abstract

BBC world news on 18th March 2021 citing The New York Times, stated that only 20% of public in France had confidence on the most widely distributed AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine would have shocked many not only in India but world over. If most components of confidence emanate from perception, what and why is this perception of public on the pharmaceutical organization/industry at this time for trust amidst most treacherous pandemic? Change in health advisory to public, change of vaccination schedule, all add to the sorry state of public confidence on pharmaceutical industry and it is an ongoing history. Most public perceptions about pharmaceutical industry are that it is market driven, research driven, lifesaving drugs provider and always profit-making industry. newline newlineThe core objective of the study is to capture the prevailing perception of Indian public on pharmaceutical marketing practices in India which is a void in extant literature as confirmed by systematic literature review, bibliometric study and science mapping; discussed in chapter 3. Globally very few studies related to public perception on pharmaceutical industry is cited; those few are predominantly from USA. Regulatory controls to streamline the pharmaceutical marketing practices is lacking in India compared to western nations.