Materials and methods The overall methodology is inspired by the ‘evidence-based’ approach as best described in the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation in Europe (AGREE) primary publication.4 Therefore, the author followed the following steps in order to identify the respective definition of terms and reassess both concepts and their marketing implications. The first step consisted of identifying the definitions and related terms and/or concepts that differentiate medicinal brand from medicinal product from the semantic, medico-marketing, and legal point of view. The second step consisted of a critical review of major so-called ‘brand building theories’ taken out from reference textbooks and expert opinions. The third step explored the available material regarding medicinal brand and/or medicinal product communication techniques and, if available, their respective impact on both prescribers and patients thanks to a rigorous peer-reviewed evidence-based methodology. The main issue of this methodology was the selection of relevant:
1. key words and their definitions; 2. recognized brand building theories; 3. database and other sources to look for definitions, related concepts, and available impact assessment.