Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3619

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

Weary PE.
Free drug samples: Use and abuse.
Arch Dermatol 1988 Jan 12; 4:(1):125-7

Abstract:

The United States Congress considered a bill to ban direct distribution of free samples to physicians by drug companies although companies would still be free to mail mail samples to physicians on written request. The most persuasive arguments in favour of the use of free samples by dermatologists are: to demonstrate proper cost-effective usage, to assess potential irritancy of the product, to test for possible allergy, to establish relative efficacy of two or more different therapeutic agents, to provide medications for needy patients.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/dermatology/drug samples/patients/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: SAMPLES Drug Industry* Humans Legislation, Drug* Patient Education United States