Researchers used data from the 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A total of 32,681 U.S. residents were surveyed at home, and asked various questions about topics including prescriptions and drug samples that they had received from doctors.
The researchers found that the practice of giving out free drug samples is widespread, with 12 percent of respondents saying they had received at least one free sample in 2003. But while 12.9 percent of those who had health insurance for the whole year had received samples, only 9.9 percent of those who had spent part of 2003 uninsured had done so. Wealthier patients were also more likely to receive free samples, while those with an income less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level were least likely to do so.
The 2003 federal poverty line was $18,400 per year for a family of four.
Many health companies and hospitals have begun to question to practice of drug companies providing free samples to doctors, citing issues of conflict of interest. But associations like the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America have said that giving out samples helps doctors serve poorer patients who have trouble affording prescription drugs.
The current study found that doctors were indeed trying to help poorer patients with free samples, but that poorer and uninsured patients were less likely to see a doctor in the first place.
"Our study supports the idea that doctors are trying to target the neediest patients," said researcher author Sarah Cutrona, "but the uninsured are less likely to get their care in the office and be that person who walks through the door."
-
-
-
-
- goldenways
- added this
- added August 04, 2008
- flag
-
No surprise there
-
-
-
-
- Enjoy_Cannabis
- 11 months ago
-
-
I have a form of leukemia which would be fatal if it weren't for the free medicine I get from Novartis, the manufacturer of the drug.I am "financially challenged",and was placed on the assistance program along with thousands of others like me.I see no evidence that the rich are given drugs any more often than the poor.
-
-
-
-
- squilla1123
- 11 months ago
-
-
I always thought drugs were a way for the rich to get even richer.
-
-
-
-
- Bigdog_mike
- 11 months ago
-
-
Most drug companies do offer aid programs for people that need help affording prescription drugs. Now if only those same people could afford to step into a doctors' office, they could get the care they need.
-
It's a business, and those with more money are more likely to buy expensive brand name drugs. It's just good business to give them preference when distributing samples. Maybe one day, human health in America won't be determined by a buck.
-
-
-
-
- rightbrain
- 11 months ago
-
-
I get free samples but only of drugs my doctor has plenty of, and only of the amount I need. I also refuse a lot of drugs because a nice cup of hot tea does more than Tylenol when I've got a cold.
-
-
-
-
- reneelikeshugs
- 11 months ago
-
-
I have to disagree here. I have been to the Urgent Care clinic at the local hospital many times over the years (urgent care=ER for people without insurance) and every time I've been there they have given me their max alotment of free samples to deal with whatever ailment I've had, from earaches to common colds to accidents. Whenever I go into a doctor's office and talk with them about myself or my children, they generally offer me a free sample of the medication I need, and then write a prescription for whatever I need over that. Perhaps its because I live in progressive Oregon state, but I doubt it.
-
I was under the impression that the people who asked for samples were the ones who received samples.
-
-
-
-
- damnneargenius
- 11 months ago
-
-
I assumed the samples were to tide you over during the inevitable back and forth game your insurance plays with your doctor's office and pharmacy.
story of my life -
Free drug samples... going to the wealthy? That's unheard of! That would be like saying non-charity hospitals only give treatment to people who have insurance!
-
Its like a street pusher giving you a sample to get you addicted... It reaps more financial benefits to do so for the people who can afford to buy more pills.....
-
-
-
-
- regjoeschmo
- 11 months ago
-
-
It's difficult for these physicians to give the free samples to people who can't afford to see a family doctor in the first place... I've always thought that free samples were just an excuse for target marketing and advertising to a captive audience (the patient)...
-
-
-
-
- Bookshepherd
- 11 months ago
-
-
Sounds a little like banking. The easiest way to borrow money is to not need it.
-
-
-
-
- cleansouth
- 11 months ago
-
-
Let's see now. The drug manufacturers give free samples to doctors as a way to get them to endorse the drug and encourage it's usage to a patient. The doctor passes the samples to his or her most lucrative clients, those of a higher tax bracket, who tell their tennis and golf partners all about this terrific deal. And so, it goes.
That's one version.
Bleh. -
I have to say that when I was uninsured and paying my bills, doctors that I went to would be very generous with samples.
-
-
-
-
- sublimeuniverse
- 11 months ago
-
-
While I agree that drug samples should be given to low income patients under certain circumstances, some doctors think that giving them a high priced medication they can't afford for free does not benefit them. I found this article on the Health Business Blog about giving free drug samples to patients, rich or poor. http://www.healthbusinessblog.com/?p=1589
-
-
-
-
- InfoAboutcom
- 11 months ago
-
