Extent of physician-pharmaceutical industry interactions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: Pharmaceutical companies spend large amounts of money promoting their products to physicians. There is evidence that physicians' interactions with pharmaceutical companies negatively affect their prescribing patterns. The objective of this study was to systematically review the extent of the relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical companies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of physicians in low and middle-income countries regarding interacting with pharmaceutical companies: a systematic review.

Background: Understanding the perceptions and attitudes of physicians is important. This knowledge assists in the efforts to reduce the impact of their interactions with the pharmaceutical industry on clinical practice. It appears that most studies on such perceptions and attitudes have been conducted in high-income countries.

Validity of tools used for surveying physicians about their interactions with pharmaceutical company: a systematic review.

Background: There is evidence that physicians' prescription behavior is negatively affected by the extent of their interactions with pharmaceutical companies. In order to develop and implement policies and interventions for better management of interactions, we need to understand physicians' perspectives on this issue. Surveys addressing physicians' interactions with pharmaceutical companies need to use validated tools to ensure the validity of their findings.

Legislative, educational, policy and other interventions targeting physicians' interaction with pharmaceutical companies: a systematic review.

Background: Pharmaceutical company representatives likely influence the prescribing habits and professional behaviour of physicians.

Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of interventions targeting practising physicians' interactions with pharmaceutical companies.

Eligibility Criteria: We included observational studies, non-randomised controlled trials (non-RCTs) and RCTs evaluating legislative, educational, policy or other interventions targeting the interactions between physicians and pharmaceutical companies.