Pharmacists play minor role in drug education

According to a new study, pharmacists play a smaller role in drug research by patients than doctors, advertising, and on-line research. The study by Opinion Research Corp. found that more than two-thirds of respondents said they feel "very comfortable" deciding on the which brand name drug they should receive, and one in 10 asks his or her physician to prescribe a specific brand. Nearly half of those polled said they rely on the Internet and television to learn about health-related ailments and potential treatments. Still, only 56% who responded this way thought pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to promote drugs directly to customers. Physicians remain consumers' primary resource for drug information (71%).

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