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BIZCHINA> Top Biz News
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Healthcare survey finds misconceptions
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-24 08:04 According to the consumers surveyed, many believe the main functions of community health service institutions are to treat minor illnesses and provide fluid infusion services. In the Ipsos survey, 58.8 percent of consumers said they always obtain fluid infusions at community health centers, and 34 percent turn to community health institutions when they have minor illnesses. In addition to low awareness, consumers have little confidence in the technology at community health centers. Most said the reason they choose large hospitals over community healthcare centers is because of the available medical equipment and professional level of doctors, according to Angie Li, a research director at Ipsos China. Several months after the issuance of the reform policies, there is no obvious improvement in consumers' enthusiasm about visiting community health centers. Only 14.3 percent of respondents said they have visited community health centers more frequently than before the announcement of the reform policies. Drugstores The survey also showed that 43 percent of consumers chose to buy their medicine at drugstores for self-treatment. "Convenience, more complete drug stocking and ease of purchasing without waiting in long lines at large hospitals are the main reasons for this trend," Li of Ipsos China said. The use of health insurance cards is another key reason, she added. The frequency with which respondents use their health insurance cards in drug stores is once every two to three months. This figure is higher than their usage in large hospitals and community health facilities, which is once every three to four months.
Other frequently bought medicines are for skin use, for the digestive system and for eye and dental disorders. Consumers are sensitive to drug brands when purchasing medications, especially in Shanghai, the survey showed. More than 70 percent of Shanghai respondents said they always have the brand of drug in mind before they enter the drugstore. The brands consumers consider, according to the survey, are recommended by doctors, have beneficial effects or are brands they feel they can trust. However, more than 60 percent of consumers said they have had difficulties choosing the right drug from many varieties. Consumers will decide themselves which drug to buy, although they said they will rely on drugstore workers for recommendations. Drugstore workers are not professional doctors and can make mistakes, the consumers admitted. The survey findings also pointed to a suspicion that pharmaceutical companies might influence the recommendations of drugstore employees. More than 78 percent of consumers said they would like to obtain signatures from pharmacists who offer advice. Some 67.6 percent of consumers cited the possible influence of pharmaceutical companies as the reason for their desire for a signature. Drugstores have evolved from single retailers and chain stores to their location in supermarkets and the newer development of multi-service drugstores. In addition to medicines, the multi-service drugstores offer general health care products, cosmetics and daily necessities. According to the survey, 57.7 percent of consumers would buy general health products in addition to medicines at drugstores. Of those surveyed, 32.6 percent said they would buy daily necessities at the multi-service drugstores, and 30 percent would purchase cosmetics, too. (For more biz stories, please visit Industries)
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