Do Physicians' Beliefs About Genetic Engineering Influence Their Likelihood of Prescribing a Biopharmaceutical? An Empirical Investigation

摘要

Biopharmaceuticals present one of the fastest growing segments of the pharmaceutical industry. Biopharmaceuticals are produced through genetic engineering, a technology that some believe is unethical and can have unforeseen consequences to individual health and the environment (Bredhal, 1999; Gaskell et al., 1999; Hallman et al., 2002). In this study, we investigate whether physicians' beliefs about genetic engineering have any influence on their likelihood of prescribing a biopharmaceutical. A sample of 175 physicians practicing in one state in the mid-south region of the U.S. was selected and their beliefs, importance of genetic modification as a drug attribute and the likelihood of prescribing a biopharmaceutical, were measured. Results showed that the physicians' beliefs about genetic engineering related to their likelihood of prescribing this class of drugs. In addition, the study also found that the importance of genetic modification as a drug attribute moderated the relationship between beliefs and likelihood in the decision making process. The implications of these findings are also discussed.