DRUG SAMPLES

Rationale

Drug marketing or sampling programs that involve physical samples can create a number of drug supply and patient risks if they are not subject to strict pharmacy control. However, “virtual” programs that allow pharmacy management of the supply (e.g., situations where a limited amount of drug is dispensed from the pharmacy’s supply) are not problematic if proper controls are in place. Specifically, workable drug sampling programs must (1) provide the elements of pharmaceutical care, (2) result in careful drug control, ensuring patients receive only properly labeled and packaged, unexpired, and recorded drugs, (3) provide access to prescription drugs only through authorized, trained personnel, (4) discourage inappropriate prescribing habits, or (5) do not increase the cost of treatment for all patients.