Comments on: Free Drug Samples http://healthblog.ncpa.org/free-drug-samples/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Wed, 23 May 2012 14:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Devon Herrick, National Center for Policy Analysis http://healthblog.ncpa.org/free-drug-samples/comment-page-1/#comment-39970 Devon Herrick, National Center for Policy Analysis Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:03:13 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1309#comment-39970 American drug makers are frequently criticized for supplying physicians offices, free office supplies, complimentary lunches and other perks to boost sales. The best known promotion is the ubiquitous free drug samples provided for doctors to hand out to patients. But, today’s PharmaTimes details the story of an Italian drug supplier who is accused of bribing doctors and pharmacists with prostitutes and cash in return for writing bogus prescriptions, that were then reportedly charged back to the Italian health service. The story goes on to claim that other pharmaceutical companies were in on the scam. Read the full story here: http://www.pharmatimes.com/WorldNews/article.aspx?id=14898&src=EWorldNews American drug makers are frequently criticized for supplying physicians offices, free office supplies, complimentary lunches and other perks to boost sales. The best known promotion is the ubiquitous free drug samples provided for doctors to hand out to patients.

But, today’s PharmaTimes details the story of an Italian drug supplier who is accused of bribing doctors and pharmacists with prostitutes and cash in return for writing bogus prescriptions, that were then reportedly charged back to the
Italian health service.

The story goes on to claim that other pharmaceutical companies were in on the scam.

Read the full story here:

http://www.pharmatimes.com/WorldNews/article.aspx?id=14898&src=EWorldNews

]]> By: Bruce http://healthblog.ncpa.org/free-drug-samples/comment-page-1/#comment-39941 Bruce Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:37:33 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1309#comment-39941 I think the bottom line here is pretty clear. Samples increase the likelihood that uninsured patients will end up buying expensive drugs. Without samples, the likelihoood is that they will use generics. I think the bottom line here is pretty clear. Samples increase the likelihood that uninsured patients will end up buying expensive drugs. Without samples, the likelihoood is that they will use generics.

]]> By: Larry C. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/free-drug-samples/comment-page-1/#comment-39940 Larry C. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:35:00 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1309#comment-39940 The drug company theory is: give away the first pills for free, get the patient hooked on the expensive brand, and then they will pay retail price for a therapy that could have been purchased for a fraction of the cost by using generics. The drug company theory is: give away the first pills for free, get the patient hooked on the expensive brand, and then they will pay retail price for a therapy that could have been purchased for a fraction of the cost by using generics.

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