Healthy Skepticism Library item: 650

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Tong KL, Lien CY.
Do pharmaceutical representatives misuse their drug samples?
Can Fam Physician 1995 Aug; 41:1363-6:

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which pharmaceutical representatives misuse their samples. DESIGN: Voluntary questionnaire survey. SETTING: A family practice office. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmaceutical representatives visiting the office during a 3-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of surveyed representatives who self-medicated, provided samples of prescription drugs to nonphysicians, or exchanged drugs with other representatives; classes of prescription drugs most commonly used; and beneficiaries. RESULTS: Of the 27 representatives surveyed, 16 (59.2%) have provided prescription drug samples to individuals other than physicians. Thirteen (48.1%) either self-medicated or provided samples to friends or relatives. Seven (25.9%) have exchanged drug samples with other representatives. Eleven (40.7%) of the 27 surveyed had not sampled prescription drugs themselves, given them to others, or exchanged drugs with other representatives. The most commonly sampled drugs were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Drug samples were most often given to friends and spouses. CONCLUSION: Self-medication and giving samples to nonphysicians were practised by almost 60% of surveyed representatives. Representatives usually caution recipients, however, and there are very few complications. Drugs with potential for abuse or dependence and cardiovascular medications were rarely used.

Keywords:
*analytic survey Canada sales representatives drug samples EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: SAMPLES PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: DETAILING PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: SAMPLES