The effects of an apparent breach of therapeutic regulations on consumers: the Pan Pharmaceuticals recall
RIS ID
24628
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess how demographic variables and personal values are related to people's knowledge and cognitive and behavioural responses towards a major drug recall event that occurred in Australia in 2003. For this purpose, a survey was sent out in 2003 to 1000 households in Victoria, Australia. Households had been randomly selected from the electoral role. A total of 415 respondents participated. Results indicated that higher socioeconomic status was related to better information about the recall event and more trust in manufacturers. Respondents who held traditional or naturalistic values were likely to trust that faults in the system would be regulated by the government or consumers themselves. Parents and older respondents were more likely to be critical of the Therapeutic Goods Administration which co-ordinated the recall. Parental status, education and values were related to subsequent changes in respondents' use of complementary medicines. In light of the worth of the health supplement industry to the Australian economy, the results of this survey suggest that the Therapeutic Goods Administration should adopt a more transparent and accountable role towards the public.
Publication Details
Blasche, R. E. C.., Worsley, A. A. & Lawrence, M. 2008, 'The effects of an apparent breach of therapeutic regulations on consumers: the Pan Pharmaceuticals recall', Critical Public Health, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 367-379.