REGULATED DRUG MARKETING AS A TOOL FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION IN IKOT EKPENE, AKWA IBOM STATE A CASE STUDY OF JUHEL PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY IKOT EKPENE

Background of Study

Consumer protection is more and more becoming a topical issue in the country. Consumers in Nigeria are constantly abused and have permanently remained unresponsive to various forms of trade malpractices distributed by sellers/ producers.

The efficiency of marketing as a channel of commitment to the consumers as time goes on, will depend largely on the extent it succeeds in enhancing the quality of consumers judgments and in maintaining fair competitive conditions that allows customers to make free and informed choices between various alternative.

This will involve making available to consumer much more relevant product and services information. For example, performance and safety in use, unit pricing and conditions of contract. It also means that business men on their own part must accept that the maintenance of fair competitive market condition and safeguarding of consumers rights cannot be left entirely to their own self regulatory codes. However, Legislation should be kept at a level and only enacted as a last resort. Providing successful real consumers judgment in the market place has to do with a determined effort to ensure that consumer understand their rights under existing law.  This will involve extensive consumers education on the enacted legislation self-regulating codes of practice and adverse publicity for those who transgress such codes.  This however will not be enhanced by removing from consumer the necessity to make their own decision or by imposing on the market condition, which limits the freedoms of a consumer choice or the means of developing their powers of judgments.

Based on this preview we would be investigating the level of protection offered to users of drugs by government & organization involved in drug marketing (drug dispensing and distribution). This is because of the importance of drugs to the life of the people.  A drug can help or destroy a person’s life.  It is defined as “a chemical agent that affects the function of living things”.  Drugs are used in preventing, treating and diagnosing diseases.

The investigation also extend to how in case of low level of protection, stronger protective measure could be ensured in order to have honest marketing practice in the drug industry and ensure healthy usage or consumption of drugs in the country.

In order to accomplish this study Juhel Pharmaceutical Company has been selected as a case organization.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page ﾿ i

Certification page ﾿ ii

Declaration ﾿ iii 

Dedication ﾿ iv

Acknowledgement ﾿ v

Table of contents ﾿

Abstract ﾿ ix

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

1.1 ﾿ Background of the study ﾿

1.2 ﾿ Statement of the problem ﾿

1.3 ﾿ Objectives of the study ﾿

1.4 ﾿ Research questions ﾿

1.5 ﾿ Significant of the study ﾿

1.6 ﾿ Scope of the study ﾿

1.7 ﾿ Limitation of the study ﾿

1.8 ﾿ Definition of terms ﾿

CHAPTER TWO: Review of the Related Literature ﾿

CHAPTER THREE: Research Design and Methodology 

3.1 ﾿ Research design ﾿

3.2 ﾿ Sources of data ﾿

3.3 ﾿ The population of the study ﾿

3.4 ﾿ Determination of sample size ﾿

3.5 ﾿ Methods of data collection ﾿

3.6 ﾿ Methods of data presentation and analysis ﾿

CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis 

CHAPTER FIVE: Summary of Findings, Recommendation Conclusion 

5.1 ﾿ Summary of findings ﾿

5.2 ﾿ Recommendation ﾿

5.3 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿

Bibliography ﾿