| 1. |
- Funestrand, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Substandard and falsified medical products are a global public health threat. A pilot survey of awareness among physicians in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1741-3850 .- 1741-3842. ; 41:1, s. 95-102
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundSubstandard and falsified medical products are a public health threat, primarily associated with low- and middle-income countries. Today, the phenomenon also exists in high-income countries. Increased Internet access has opened a global market. Self-diagnosis and self-prescription have boosted the market for unregulated websites with access to falsified medicines.AimTo describe the state of knowledge and experience on SF medical products among emergency physicians (EPs) and general practitioners (GPs) in Sweden.MethodsAn online survey with anonymous answers from 100 EPs and 100 GPs. Physicians were recruited from TNS SIFO’s medical database. The term in the survey was ‘illegal and falsified medicines’ which was common in Sweden at that time. It corresponds well with the term ‘substandard and falsified medical products’ that the WHO launched shortly after our data collection. We report our results with this term.ResultsIn Sweden, 78.5% of the physicians had heard the term ‘illegal and falsified medicines’ and 36.5% had met patients they suspected had taken it. Physicians lacked awareness of the use of the reporting system and wanted more knowledge about how to deal with patients who have possibly used falsified medicines.ConclusionsTo meet the public health threat of SF medical products, physicians need more knowledge.
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| 2. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(författare)
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Is acculturation associated with physical activity among female immigrants in Sweden?
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1741-3850 .- 1741-3842. ; 35:2, s. 270-277
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Immigrant women in Sweden have lower levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) than Swedish-born women. The reasons are unclear, although acculturation has been suggested to play a role. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between LTPA and two indicators of acculturation: (i) language proficiency (ability to understand news reports on the radio and television) and (ii) age at the time of migration, and if there existed a modifying effect on these hypothesized associations. The study sample consisted of 1651 women, aged 18-65, living in Sweden and born in Finland, Chile or Iraq. A postal questionnaire (translated into the women's native language) was used to collect the variables. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess LTPA. Data were collected in 2002-05 and analyzed in 2009-10. A partial-proportional odds model was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Increased language proficiency was associated with increased LTPA [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57-3.41]. Country of birth modified the association. Furthermore, younger age at migration was associated with increased LTPA (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01-2.03). CONCLUSIONS: Increased language proficiency has the potential to be an important health-promoting factor among immigrant women.
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| 3. |
- Lundin, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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“Where and how do you buy medicines?” A pilot survey of consumption strategies among the public in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1741-3850 .- 1741-3842.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Substandard and falsified (SF) medical products are a major danger to public health. They affect every region of the world, and have been identified in all major therapeutic categories. Studies from medicine, pharmacology, law and public health dominate this research area with a focus on the supply side. However, the spread of SF medical products cannot be fully understood without information about the demand side or a sociocultural perspective on market formation. The aim of this short report is to present findings from a pilot study that examines the attitudes of the Swedish public regarding consumption of medicines. Methods: We conducted a pilot survey in 2016 “Where and how do you buy medicines?” using LimeSurvey, an open-source online survey software. In total 155 respondents completed the survey. Results: The majority of respondents turn to doctors within healthcare for prescription-only medicines (POM). Simultaneously, some respondents would consider buying POMs without prior contact with experts even if medicines may come from unsafe sources.Conclusions: There is a tendency that people move away from formal healthcare towards an unregulated market. In parallel, people's approach to doctors becomes more personalized and pragmatic than in former patriarchal relationships. Risk becomes a negotiable concept.Keywords: Substandard and falsified medical products, consumption strategies, conception of risk, Swedish public
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| 4. |
- Vilhelmsson, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmaceutical lobbying and pandemic stockpiling of Tamiflu: a qualitative study of arguments and tactics
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1741-3842 .- 1741-3850. ; 40:3, s. 646-651
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Little is known about how pharmaceutical companies lobby authorities or experts regarding procurement or the use of vaccines and antivirals. This paper investigates how members of Denmark's pandemic planning committee experienced lobbying efforts by Roche, manufacturer of Tamiflu, the antiviral that was stockpiled before the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic. Methods Analysis of interviews with six of seven members of the Danish core pandemic committee, supplemented with documentary analysis. We sought to identify (1) arguments and (2) tactics used in lobbying, and to characterize interviewees' views on the impact of (3) lobbying and (4) scientific evidence on the decision to stockpile Tamiflu. Results Roche lobbied directly (in its own name) and through a seemingly independent third party. Roche used two arguments: (1) the procurement agreement had to be signed quickly because the drug would be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis and (2) Denmark was especially vulnerable to an influenza crisis because it had smaller Tamiflu stocks than other countries. Most interviewees suspected that lobbying had an impact on Tamiflu procurement. Conclusions Our study highlights risks posed by pharmaceutical lobbying. Arguments and tactics deployed by Roche are likely to be repeated whenever many countries are negotiating drug procurements in a monopolistic market.
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| 5. |
- Stjernswärd, Sigrid, et al.
(författare)
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Perceptions and effects of COVID-19 related information in Denmark and Sweden : a web-based survey about COVID-19 and social media
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1741-3850 .- 2198-1833 .- 1613-2238. ; 31:4, s. 645-659
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimExtensive COVID-19 information can generate information overload and confusion. Denmark and Sweden adopted different COVID-19 management strategies.This study aimed to compare search strategies, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information, in general and specifically in social media, in residents in Denmark and Sweden.Subject and methodsQuantitative data from a sample of respondents (n = 616) from Denmark and Sweden on an international web-based survey was analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics.ResultsThe results showed similarities between the countries regarding preferred and trusted information sources, use of (social) media, and psychosocial and behavioural effects of such information. Traditional media and social media were frequently used for COVID-19 information. Especially health authorities and researchers were trusted sources, representing the dominant medico-political discourse. There were no differences in negative effect and social behaviour. Residents in Denmark experienced significantly more positive effects than residents in Sweden.ConclusionSummarily, the study showed similarities and small differences among residents in both countries related to usage patterns, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information from (social) media, despite diverging strategies.
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