Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7534

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

Cohen ML.
Taming the sample closet.
Fam Pract Manag 2006 Oct; 13:(9):43-6
http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20061000/43tami.html

Abstract:

During a brief break between patients one day, I walked back to our office kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Our kitchen happens to be near our drug sample area, and before I could even find my coffee mug, a startling sight caught my attention: A brown cardboard box lay on the floor with smaller boxes inside, each containing an even smaller bottle filled with a one-week supply of a proton pump inhibitor. Strewn over the counters were various sample bottles of the latest and greatest angiotensin II receptor blocker, a rudimentary log to keep track of sample dispensing and an array of pamphlets on the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. Above the counter space, the doors to the sample cabinet stood open, the latches having not worked for months. Inside the cabinet was a hodgepodge of medications to treat everything from osteoporosis to an enlarged prostate. With trepidation, I pulled a few pill bottles out of the deep recesses of the cabinet. Some of them had expiration dates from the Clinton administration. It was painfully obvious that we had neglected our sample area, and something had to be done.

Keywords:
MeSH Terms: Materials Management, Hospital/organization & administration* Pharmaceutical Preparations* Practice Management, Medical* United States Substances: Pharmaceutical Preparations

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