Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:02
Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
A study of interactions between pharmaceutical representatives and ophthalmology trainees
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 3, 2009
Summary
Ophthalmology trainees frequently interact with pharmaceutical representatives, often accepting gifts and changing prescribing habits due to drug samples. Many trainees lack education on managing these interactions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Education
- Pharmaceutical Industry Ethics
Background:
- Pharmaceutical promotions are common in medical training environments.
- Understanding trainee attitudes towards these promotions is crucial for ethical medical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the behavior and attitudes of ophthalmology trainees regarding pharmaceutical promotions.
- To assess the influence of pharmaceutical representatives on prescribing practices.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to 110 ophthalmology residency programs in the United States.
- Responses from 122 trainees were collected and analyzed to understand their interactions with pharmaceutical representatives.
Main Results:
- 87% of trainees reported frequent contact with pharmaceutical representatives (monthly or bi-monthly).
- 77% of trainees changed prescribing behavior due to medicine samples, while only 26% cited promotional information.
- Trainees perceived their peers as more susceptible to pharmaceutical influence than themselves.
Conclusions:
- Ophthalmology trainees have significant exposure to pharmaceutical promotions.
- Pharmaceutical representatives influence prescribing practices through information and drug samples.
- A majority of trainees have not received formal education on interacting with the pharmaceutical industry.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
01:29Drug-Receptor Interactions
Drug-receptor interaction describes the binding of receptors by drugs, but not all drug-receptor interactions result in activation and tissue response. For instance, the binding of agonists activates the receptor to generate a cellular reaction, while antagonists bind to receptors without causing their activation.
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue.
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue.
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:26Drug Administration and Therapy Phases: Overview
Drugs, the chemical agents used in diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases, undergo a four-phase process of development: pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic.
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
The pharmaceutical phase focuses on leveraging the physicochemical properties of the drug to design and manufacture an effective product. Variants include orally administered tablets or capsules, topical creams or ointments, and parenteral-delivery solutions or emulsions.
The pharmacokinetic phase...
01:28Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: Overview
Understanding drugs, drug products, and their performance in pharmaceutical science is pivotal. Drugs, whether simple molecules or complex compounds, are designed to interact with the body's biological systems to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. Drug products include various delivery systems such as tablets, capsules, injections, and inhalers. The performance of these drug products is gauged by their ability to deliver the active ingredient to the desired site of action at the appropriate...