Medicines Barometer

Medicines Barometer is a survey aimed at the population to investigate Finns' views and experiences regarding medicines. The population survey is conducted every two years. The content of the survey consists of modules addressing current themes in medical care, as described in the variable book (see below). The results of the survey can be used to develop pharmaceutical services and promote rational use of medicines. The survey is conducted and the results reported by Fimea.

Use of data

Medicines Barometer datasets can be applied for scientific research purposes (data from all survey years) and, in addition, for development and innovation activities, teaching, as well as planning and assessment tasks (datasets collected in 2019 and thereafter).

The purpose of scientific research is considered to be demonstrated when the data permit application includes a description of sufficient scientific competence of the principal investigator (holding at least a doctoral degree) and a plan to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

For a master’s thesis (so-called article-based thesis) or a doctoral dissertation, the data can only be disclosed if the applicant is a supervisor with sufficient scientific qualifications and the intention is to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal. The study using the data must comply with the objectives and purpose of the research as stated in the survey cover letters.

Instructions for applying for data

As a rule, a data permit for the use of Fimea’s research data is applied for from Findata, the Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority.

The data may also be used under a research collaboration agreement. This requires that the topic is aligned with Fimea’s research priority areas and that Fimea has a need for the study. The application process begins by contacting the Fimea person responsible for the dataset in question, who will make a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of a collaborative study.

These instructions also apply to applications for access to other Fimea research datasets.

Read more:

Variable Book of the Medicine Barometer (pdf, www.julkari.fi, in Finnish, abstract in English)