5.1.5. Preparation for launch of fieldwork

Before commencing the main survey several steps needed to be completed beforehand, as for example the market customer databases.

Participating markets were instructed to compile and share databases of their customers, including name, role/position and contact details (e.g. email, phone, address). Guidance and criteria for customer selection were shared in advance in order to ensure that only relevant key decision-makers are included and the survey produces meaningful results. During the kick-off meeting it was decided to involve the following key decision makers of injectable generics, knowing that a crossover between prescribers, pharmacists and purchasers may occur in some markets:

• Prescribers: Physicians or prescribing nurses of anesthesia, anti-infectives, critical care and oncology drugs
• Pharmacists: Hospital pharmacists (pharmacy director, buyer)
• Purchasers: Payers, purchasers, purchasing groups and committees

To adhere to market research policy and ensure FK customers were willing to participate in the survey and were willingly to be contacted, an opt-out email/letter template was drafted and shared with the general managers or medical directors of each participating market for distribution to the customer database provided. The email informed customers of the intention to undertake a market research project and offered the opportunity to opt-out by an agreed date. Customers had to notify the relevant FK person within a given deadline (minimum of 1 week). It was understood that those customers who do not respond were willing to participate.

The last step before the launch of the survey was a pilot survey. Using the draft master survey questionnaire, a pilot study was conducted among a selected sample of customers to assess the content, flow and appeal of the survey.

In the interest of time and resources, we undertook the pilot study in English speaking markets from different regions. The pilot survey was completed with 6 customers in Canada, 5 in the UK and 2 in India. Some of the key insights which were used to finalize the master survey questionnaire are listed below:

• Overall customer response was positive
• Although interviews took place over the phone, the average length of the survey was above the required 20-25 min
• Specific questions were identified that could be amended to shorten the survey and avoid repetition
• The survey posed minimal problem areas; some wording needed to be adjusted to avoid ambiguity
• It was helpful to have a mix of purchasers, prescribers and pharmacists in each market to include differing viewpoints (of course, this depends on specific market landscape)

Once the master survey questionnaire was approved, local participating markets had the opportunity to review the survey and share their comments and (minimal) amends to ensure the survey meets local legal and regulatory requirements and that it was appropriate for local customers in both content and tone. Regional ambassadors were provided with the English and, where appropriate, the translated versions of the survey with clear instructions on what instructions to provide for distribution to local markets. Then the market research partner programmed the survey for each participating market – whether translated into the local language or in English.