Docs Say No to Pulling Drugs Containing Acetaminophen off the Market

The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com(R) website during July 17-19, to obtain physicians' perceptions of a CNN news clip which outlined an FDA committee's recent concern regarding acetaminophen, a drug found in several common prescription and non-prescription products. To view agreement curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

"Physicians expressed sharp disagreement when the CNN reporter stated: 'the committee said yank them off the market -- no more Vicodin, no more Percocet,' as evidenced by the downward spiral of our automated response curves," explained Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research.

The majority of doctors (70%) reported that the FDA's warnings and concerns regarding the acetaminophen have not affected their prescribing habits.

Among the findings:

"Have your prescribing habits changed since becoming aware of the FDA's recent warnings and concerns regarding the drug Acetaminophen? Select all that apply."

                                                         Total
                                                        (n=589)
                                                         ------
    More likely to prescribe products containing
     Acetaminophen                                          1%

    Less likely to prescribe products containing
     Acetaminophen                                          8%

    More likely to discuss warnings and dosage
     instructions with patients who are prescribed
     or use Acetaminophen products                         29%

    No change in prescribing habits for products
     containing Acetaminophen                              70%

    Other                                                   1%

"Do you think the FDA should pull Acetaminophen products?"

                                                         Total
                                                        (n=589)
                                                         ------
    Yes, both prescription and non-prescription
     Acetaminophen products                                 4%

    Yes, prescription Acetaminophen products only           6%

    Yes, non-prescription Acetaminophen products
     only                                                   3%

    Yes, they should pull only certain products
     containing Acetaminophen.                              6%

    No, they should not pull any Acetaminophen
     products                                              82%

While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

HCD Research is a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's website at www.hcdi.net. MediaCurves.com(R) (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.