Public database on pharmaceutical ties in Japan: Traffic and user attitudes on industry-professional relationships

Background It is imperative to understand the specific details of the usage of the databases documenting financial ties between pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare sector and the attitudes of such database in evaluating how the citizens would recognize this issue. This study aimed to elucidate usage patterns and user attitudes regarding value transfers by analyzing data from the Yen For Docs Database in Japan (YDJ). Methods and Materials The study spanned the entire available data period, from January 15, 2019, to May 24, 2021, using Google Analytics to extract YDJ visitor data, including details on unique users, sessions, page views, and access paths over time. All visitors were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey gauging their attitudes towards value transfers from pharmaceutical firms to healthcare professionals. The survey data were analyzed separately for distinct groups, including non-healthcare or industry respondents, healthcare professionals, and those affiliated with pharmaceutical companies. Results YDJ received 604,903 accesses from 354,863 unique users, viewing 5,635,087 pages. Usage spiked initially and at later points. A survey of 399 respondents revealed negative views on value transfers from pharmaceutical companies, with over half finding it unethical. More than two-thirds supported stricter regulations. Non-healthcare respondents were less favorable compared to healthcare professionals and those affiliated with pharmaceutical companies. Conclusion YDJ achieved substantial user engagement, and the embedded questionnaire survey revealed prevalent critical perspectives among users regarding value transfers from pharmaceutical companies to the healthcare sector. Non-healthcare or industry respondents, in particular, expressed the most negative views about such relationships.