Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection

Tolgay Ercan

doi:10.59124/guhes.1860891

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection

Abstract

Health economics focuses on improving healthcare system efficiency through the effective use of limited resources. Rising healthcare costs, chronic diseases, and expensive medications make resource allocation increasingly important. Pharmacoeconomics is a key tool for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of drug therapies, supporting both medication management and patient access. Rational drug use further optimizes resources by promoting safe and clinically appropriate treatments. Medication expenses constitute a major part of healthcare spending, and physicians’ prescribing behaviors directly affect these costs. Physicians decide which drugs to prescribe, at what doses, and for how long, making them key targets for pharmaceutical marketing. Understanding medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and prescribing tendencies regarding pharmacoeconomics is therefore crucial for education and healthcare planning. This cross-sectional study at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine included 340 voluntary students from all six years. The survey had three sections: demographic data, a pharmacoeconomics knowledge and attitude scale, and factors affecting prescribing behavior. Responses were measured on a 5-point Likert scale, with data analyzed descriptively. Results showed that students had moderate pharmacoeconomics knowledge (mean: 3.2 ± 0.5) and awareness (mean: 3.3 ± 0.5), which correlated with rational drug use. Pharmacoeconomics knowledge was moderately correlated with decision impact/application (r=0.48, p<0.05), and cost-related prescribing behavior (r=0.28, p<0.05). Clinical efficacy, patient safety, and administration convenience were prioritized over cost considerations, though pharmacoeconomic awareness significantly influenced prescribing tendencies. These findings emphasize the need to incorporate pharmacoeconomics, rational drug use, and health economics into medical curricula to promote evidence-based, cost-conscious prescribing practices among future physician.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tolgay Ercan ^*
0000-0002-6893-4358
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1860891

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA59WM47DK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ercan, T. (2026). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute, 8(1), 34-44. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1860891

AMA

1.Ercan T. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection. GUHES. 2026;8(1):34-44. doi:10.59124/guhes.1860891

Chicago

Ercan, Tolgay. 2026. “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8 (1): 34-44. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1860891.

EndNote

Ercan T (April 1, 2026) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8 1 34–44.

IEEE

[1]T. Ercan, “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection”, GUHES, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 34–44, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.59124/guhes.1860891.

ISNAD

Ercan, Tolgay. “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute 8/1 (April 1, 2026): 34-44. https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1860891.

JAMA

1.Ercan T. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection. GUHES. 2026;8:34–44.

MLA

Ercan, Tolgay. “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection”. Journal of Gazi University Health Sciences Institute, vol. 8, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 34-44, doi:10.59124/guhes.1860891.

Vancouver

1.Tolgay Ercan. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Selection. GUHES. 2026 Apr. 1;8(1):34-4. doi:10.59124/guhes.1860891