Free Drug Samples May End Up Costing More

A representative of the pharmaceutical industry took issue with the findings.

In a statement, Ken Johnson, senior vice president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), said the study, "overlooks the fact that Americas physicians prescribe medicines based on a wide range of factors, not simply receipt of samples." He added that, "free samples provide physicians valuable first-hand experience with new medicines. In many cases, samples help patients begin treatment sooner by quickly discovering the medicines that are best for them. And they can be an important option for patients in need of help."

But Reginald Frye, an associate professor in the department of pharmacy practice at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Gainesville, agreed that while free samples can benefit patients, they must be used carefully.

"For example, sometimes you have a question as to if a drug is going to work well for your patient, so you give him or her the free sample as a trial," he said. "And there's, of course, the initial intent to spare some expense. But I'm not too surprised that it would influence a patient's choice later on and perhaps not to that patient's benefit."

"So it's important," he added, "for a physician to discuss with patients all the options, such as the availability of generics at a cheaper cost. And for their part, patients should ask their pharmacists as well if a brand name drug is available as a generic."

More information

There's more on generic drugs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

SOURCES: David P. Miller, M.D., internal medicine physician, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Reginald Frye, Ph.D., Pharm.D., associate professor, department of pharmacy practice, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville; Sept. 5, 2008, news release, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; September 2008,Southern Medical Journal