Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19844

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: Magazine

McCreddie J
Just say no to drug samples: expert
Australian Doctor 2005 Aug 125
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/just-say-no-to-drug-samples--expert

Abstract:

FREE drug samples provided by pharmaceutical companies should be a thing of the past” because of their potential to influence prescribing behaviour, an expert says.The only purpose that is served by the use of drug samples is a promotional one,” said Associate Professor Paul Komesaroff, lead author of new draft guidelines on relationships between doctors and industry. I dont think there are any benefits for patients whatsoever.”The Royal Australasian College of Physicians guidelines say it is inappropriate” for doctors to accept drug samples from pharmaceutical reps.There are invariably appropriate measures whereby [a clinically indicated] medication can be legitimately obtained, without the potential drawbacks of free samples,” they say.Professor Komesaroff said a US study that found access to drug samples influenced…