Investigation of Consumer Attitudes, Intentions and Brand Loyal Behavior on the OTC Drugs in Bangladesh
Mohammad Shohel *
Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Tasnuva Islam
School of Business, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Md. Mamun Al-Amin
Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
Asiful Islam
Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
M. Mahfuzur Rahman
Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the consumers’ attitudes and intentions to exhibit brand loyal behavior of Bangladeshi consumer on over the counter (OTC) drugs.
Study Design: A cross- sectional survey.
Place and Duration of Study: Consumers from the five major hospitals (Dhaka, Bangladesh) had been surveyed between January 2012 and June 2012.
Methodology: The study was conducted among 100 OTC consumers in Bangladesh. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys and personal interviews.
Results: The experimental data suggest that direct experience with the product, price range and brand reliance are important determinants of repetitive purchase behavior on OTC drugs. Cost sensitivity had a vital effect on intention to further purchase (r = .02, p =0.05). Moreover, earlier experience with the brand was critical in determining trustworthiness, beliefs, price sensitivity and purchase behavior. The behaviors of OTC consumers are influenced by a different set of factors. Previous experience and price sensitivity is dependent (Chi square = 31.603; p = 0.01. Furthermore, medical experience and buying an OTC product is dependent and the result were also found significant (Chi square = 32.292; p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Present study shows that branding and prior experience remains the major influences to buy an OTC drug in Bangladesh.
Keywords: Brand loyal behavior, attitudes, intentions, price sensitivity, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, previous experience.