Medical Centers Stop Giving Free Prescription Samples

According to the New York Times, some major medical centers have decided to discontinue the practice of distributing free prescription drug samples to their patients, and private practitioners are beginning to follow suit. Low income individuals and the uninsured have long relied on these samples to help them with the cost of medication. The samples are also good for patients trying out a new medication, so that they can see how well it works before paying for it at the pharmacy.

However, some feel that when drug companies provide doctors with free samples for their patients, it inappropriately influences the doctor to choose that particular medication for their patient. They believe that the health care provider should choose medication for their patient based on scientific research and evidence and not on a pharmaceutical rep's sales pitch.

Patients who rely on free samples from their physician may actually be doing themselves a disservice, as those with chronic illnesses will surely need to purchase their medication on their own at some point, and the free samples provided are almost invariably expensive brand name medications. Less expensive medication may work just as well. Furthermore, patient assistance programs are available to assist the truly indigent with the cost of their prescriptions.