Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9617

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

PMA surveys MDs on sampling
American Druggist 1987 Feb; 195:120

Abstract:

Highlights of the survey of 604 primary care physicians on prescription drug sampling are presented. Included are the following findings: one out of every 5 patients is sampled with at least one prescription drug product; reasons for sampling are immediate medication, most often cited by pediatricians; 75% of the physicians indicated that drug products sampled and dispensed are products frequently used and prescribed; in 29% of the cases in which samples are provided, the physician does not write a prescription. The surveyed physicians were presented with 3 alternatives to current method of drug samples distribution: written requests, signed receipts and coupons. None of the 3 alternatives is preferred by physicians as a replacement for current sampling practices and distribution methods. The 2 remaining policy alternatives presented in the survey, written requests and signed receipts, fare somewhat better. Written requests are perceived to be preferable or equal to current practices by 51% of surveyed physicians; signed receipts are actually preferable to current sampling practice by 42% of surveyed physicians.