Free drug samples go to wealthy and insured: study

[UpInArms]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Insured and wealthy Americans were more likely than the poor to get billions of dollars in free drug samples distributed by pharmaceutical companies to win patient and doctor loyalty, a study released on Wednesday showed.

The pharmaceutical industry contends that the samples help the uninsured and people with low incomes, but the study of prescription use by nearly 33,000 U.S. residents during 2003 found that the neediest were least likely to get samples.

"Our findings suggest the free samples serve as a marketing tool, not a safety net," said Dr. Sarah Cutrona, co-author of the report to be published in the February issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a trade group representing most major drugmakers, called the study out of date and said a major facet of the problem is that many uninsured do not get healthcare from doctors' offices.

Samples are popular among doctors who want to try new drugs.

"As important as free pharmaceutical samples are in improving healthcare, they represent one - not the only - option for patients in need," Ken Johnson, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN3158060620080103

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Don't you just love that "marketing tool"!

Let's not get medicine where there is need - let's put it to the market "want" test!

:grr:

[sandnsea]

1. We got them from our clinic

They've never failed to give us free samples if we need them. The poorest people are on Medicaid so of course they aren't going to be given free medications, they already get medication free or for a dollar or two. People with insurance don't always have prescription coverage, or prescriptions still cost a fortune, that's why they get the free meds.

Are people intentionally dishonest, or just stupid. I really don't know.

[CottonBear]

2. Duh. The poor don't usually get free samples at the free clinics and emergency rooms.

Most of the samples are given out by doctors at their private offices. This is not to say that some free or reduced price clinics don't give samples.

My progressive family doctor will not accept the food, drinks and free samples from the sales reps!

He does take the free pens and writing pads!

[Mojorabbit]

6. My hubby

gets all the free samples he can to give to his patients that can't afford to pay for meds. You have no idea how many people can't afford meds and go without.

[CottonBear]

8. That is wonderful. I am lucky to have an excellent health plan through work but many people don't

have a good plan or even insurance at all.

I want medicare and medicaid for all in the USA.

[On the Road]

3. You Could Argue, Of Course,

that giving free samples to people unable to afford the medicine has its own problems, especially if the medicine must be taken continually. The Nestle baby formula scandal was a specific example of that.

[CottonBear]

4. The new meds are typically much more expensive than the old meds

and don't come as a generic because they're new.

[hunter]

5. The whole thing is a mess, especially with psych drugs.

Giving psych med samples to someone who can't possibly afford the drug is downright dangerous, but I've seen doctors do that.

Say, for example, a doctor gives someone samples of an expensive anti-depressant. When the patient stops taking the med because they can't afford to refill the prescription they are going to be worse off than if they never started. It's better the doctor prescribes something on Wal-Mart's $4.00 formulary.

[Mojorabbit]

7. It depends

on how many free samples the doc gets.

[hunter]

10. In my own wretched experience I've learned not to depend on samples.

I'd be wary of anyone who suggested I do so. I only use them for my catastrophe kit.

If, for example, World War Three starts tomorrow and it's obvious I'll have to return to my hideous unmedicated self because the pharmacies are never going to be open again, I keep those handy blister packs of sample meds around to take me down slowly without overshooting my rather grim baseline.

Cold turkey and I'm in big trouble.

[kineneb]

17. I have to depend on those free samples

fortunately, the doc is a friend and understands my lack of coverage. I get the rest of the meds through Patient Assistance Programs available, but I know I cannot depend on them forever. Generics are not a help, because one medicine I am taking was $114... for the generic! Two out of my three medications are psych meds, and none of them are cheap.

[jaysunb]

9. I'm not wealthy, but...

I am insured, and my cardiologist has been giving me samples of 5 drugs my insurance company won't pay for for years now.(they want to give up the generic only)
I'm really appreciative because if I had to pay for these drugs (even with a co-pay ) it would cost several thousand dollars a year.

I'm not sure what I'd do without the freebies.

Lipitor
Zedia
Coreg
Plavic
Altace

[hunter]

12. The problem here is that there are many people who are not so lucky.

For every person who gets a consistent supply of samples, there are many more who don't.

Overall we'd be much better off if we had a decent health care system in this nation, one where pharmaceutical companies paid more attention and dollars for actual research rather than promotion.

The pharmaceutical companies are not doing any favors with samples, they are doing it because it is profitable, even as the overall quality of people's lives in the United States suffers.

[madrchsod]

15. wow... you have a very nice doctor

yes that`s a boat load of money

[MercutioATC]

11. There was an impression that samples were meant for the poor?

It's always been my understanding that "free" samples were marketing tools. The doctor could give them to his patients and his patients could then buy them if they liked them.

With the multitudes of drugs available to treat a given malady, it's frequently a hit or miss approach that's needed to see what works best for an individual patient. Samples allow a doctor to have a patient try a drug before they buy it.

[Exultant Democracy]

21. That was also my understanding; that it was a very effective marketing tool.

[mnhtnbb]

13. Hubby, a psychiatrist, only sees drug reps to get the samples for the county clinics

where he works so that patients can get a supply of needed meds.

[madrchsod]

14. i have had good doctors though the years..

i have had doctors give me a years supply of lipator, several months of prilosec, and other free medicine through the years...of course i`ve had insurance

[Highway61]

16. If I said what I wanted to

I would be in trouble...but this article is correct...the poor are screwed

[JeanGrey]

18. I get them all the time from my doc and also from the

clinic. I'm on SS and disability.

[davidinalameda]

19. I get free samples from my doctors

sorry but I don't mind it

I might have insurance but I'm sure not wealthy

[pipoman]

20. Most of my family are in areas of healthcare

and while this may have been true several years ago I don't believe it to be true any longer. I believe very few people can not get needed medication because of cost with the various programs available including the sample programs, PPA, etc. Most of these programs are an answer to demands by Dem legislators, "either make sure people get their meds or we will" which isn't what the pharm. cos want. Some people are too proud to ask for help but those who do will almost always get that help IMHO. The stories of cheaper meds in other countries, the same meds far cheaper to veterinarians, mass marketing dollars spent vs. profiteering on others medication needs, etc have forced the pharmaceutical companies to be sure legislators are not being deluged with calls of "I eat cat food so I can buy my meds".