Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6368

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Publication type: Journal Article

Symm B, Averitt M, Forjuoh SN, Preece C.
Effects of Using Free Sample Medications on the Prescribing Practices of Family Physicians
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 2006 Oct 17;
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/545405_print

Abstract:

Abstract

Introduction: We determined whether family physicians (FPs) who distribute
free sample medications are more likely to prescribe those medications than
physicians who do not.
Methods: We reviewed administrative health plan prescription data of three
similar clinics with 23 FPs within a comprehensive health care delivery
system. Only clinic X physicians dispensed free sample medications. To
determine which prescribed medications to study, the sample medications log
from clinic X was categorized. The 25 sample medications most frequently
dispensed by category were selected as study medications. Outcome measures
included the number, proportion, cost, and formulary status of study
medications prescribed and the average 30-day prescription costs.
Results: Physicians at clinic X prescribed the largest proportion of
prescriptions for study medications, the smallest proportion of preferred
name brands among study medications, and had the highest costs for
prescriptions of non-listed formulary study medications (P < .0001). The
average 30-day prescription costs differed significantly by clinic (P <
.0001), with clinic X being the highest. There was a significant association
between the number of samples dispensed and the number of prescriptions
written for study medications by physicians at clinic X (P = .006).
Conclusions: Our data support the conclusion that FPs who distribute free
samples are more likely to prescribe those medications than their
counterparts who do not.