Revealing the synergetic influence of pharmaceutical marketing strategies on physician prescription patterns: a moderated mediation investigation

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the combined impact of pharmaceutical marketing strategies, specifically free drug samples and interactions with medical representatives, on physicians’ attitudes and prescribing behavior in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this objective, data were collected from a sample comprising 425 physicians. A six-point forced-choice Likert scale was used for data collection, and cluster sampling techniques were used in the study design. Findings The study reveals significant insights into pharmaceutical marketing’s influence on physician behavior. Free drug samples exert a positive influence on both physician attitudes and prescribing behavior. Physicians’ attitudes, in turn, significantly affect their prescribing decisions. Mediation analysis demonstrates that free drug samples indirectly influence prescribing behavior through shifts in physician attitudes. Effective medical representatives amplify this influence, as stronger associations between free drug samples and physician attitudes are observed when representatives are more effective. Originality/value This research contributes by unraveling the intricate dynamics between marketing strategies, physician attitudes and prescribing behavior in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It underscores the importance of ethical pharmaceutical marketing practices, highlighting the substantial role of free drug samples and the crucial function of effective medical representatives in shaping physician behavior. Ultimately, this study sheds light on how responsible pharmaceutical marketing and adept medical representatives can improve health-care outcomes in the region.