2.  National Studies of Older Adults' Consumption of Pharmaceutical Products

 This report presents the results of two large-scale national studies where approximately 3,700 adults, including 2,700 age 55 and over, were asked questions about their purchasing and consumption habits about pharmaceutical products.  Respondents were questioned about a variety of topics, including use of selected cosmetics and drugs (both prescription and OTC), preferences for sources of information regarding new drugs and cosmetics, preference for methods of purchasing prescription drugs, cosmetics, and health aids; reasons for patronizing specific drug stores and pharmacies; reasons for choosing specific brands of OTC drugs, cosmetics and health aids; reasons considered before buying direct; preferences for payment methods for purchasing prescription drugs; and media use habits of users of drugs and cosmetics.  Also included are analyses of preceding consumer behaviors among older (55 ) vs.  younger adults, as well as analyses by other sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. © 1997.  Length: 160 pages.  $200.00

TABLE OF CONTENTS    

Purpose and objectives II-1
The studies II-2
Use of drugs and cosmetic products II-3
Preferences for sources of information for new drugs and cosmetics II-7
Preferences for methods of purchasing prescription drugs II-10
Preferences for methods of purchasing cosmetics and health aids II-13
Reasons for patronizing specific drug stores/pharmacies II-16
Reasons for choosing brands of drugs and health aids II-23
Reasons considered before buying direct II-30
Payment methods  II-36
Media use II-40
Summary and implications for marketing strategy II-43
Tables 
Appendix 
Supplement 

LIST OF TABLES  

TABLE II-1 Preferences for sources of information regarding new drugs and cosmetics among older adults
TABLE II-2 Preferences for sources of information regarding new drugs and cosmetics among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-3 Preferences for methods of purchasing prescription drugs among younger and older adults
TABLE II-4 Preferences for methods of purchasing prescription drugs among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-5 Preferences for methods of purchasing cosmetics and health aids among younger and older adults
TABLE II-6 Preferences for methods of purchasing cosmetics and health aids among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-7 Reasons for patronizing specific drug stores/pharmacies among older adults
TABLE II-8 Reasons for patronizing specific drug stores/pharmacies among younger and older adults
TABLE II-9 Reasons for patronizing specific drug stores/pharmacies among older adults by age
TABLE II-10 Reasons for patronizing specific drug stores/pharmacies among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-11 Reasons for choosing specific brands of drugs and health aids among older adults
TABLE II-12 Reasons for choosing specific brands of drugs and health aids among younger and older adults
TABLE II-13 Reasons for choosing specific brands of drugs and health aids among  older adults by age
TABLE II-14 Reasons for choosing specific brands of drugs and health aids among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-15 Reasons considered before buying health aids and drugs by phone or through the mail among older adults
TABLE II-16 Reasons considered before buying health aids and drugs by phone or through the mail among younger and older adults
TABLE II-17 Reasons considered before buying health aids and drugs by phone or through the mail among older adults by age
TABLE II-18 Reasons considered before buying health aids and drugs by phone or through the mail among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-19 Preferences for payment methods for prescription drugs among younger and older adults
TABLE II-20 Preferences for payment methods for prescription drugs among older adults by age
TABLE II-21 Preferences for payment methods for prescription drugs among older adults by gerontographic cluster
TABLE II-22 Media consumption by use of prescription drugs for chronic condition among older adults
TABLE II-23 Older adults' magazine readership by use of prescription drugs for chronic condition
TABLE II-24 Media consumption by preferences for hair-care or face-care products among older adults
TABLE II-25 Older adults' magazine readership by preferences for hair-care or face-care products