Editorial
What Is the Impact of Free Drug Samples on Patients?
Abstract
What is the impact of free prescription drug samples upon the US healthcare system? Is this a timely and important question to ask? According to studies using the US Medical Expenditure Survey (MEPS), 12% of Americans have received at least one free sample of a prescription drug. The value of these drug samples has increased from $4.9 billion in 1996 to $16.4 billion in 2004. During these same years, spending for prescription drugs has risen 15% and now accounts for 10% of total healthcare costs.1 It is unquestioned that the gains for the drug companies from this increase in spending for prescriptions surpass the threefold increase in the value of free samples.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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References
1. Lurk JT, DeJong DJ, Woods TM, et al. Effects of changes in patient cost sharing and drug sample policies on prescription drug costs and utilization in a safety-net-provider setting. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2004;61:267–272.
2. Miller DP, Mansfield RJ, Woods JB, et al. The impact of drug samples on prescribing to the uninsured. South Med J 2008;101:888–893.
3. Cutrona S, Woolhandler S, Lasser KE, et al. Characteristics of recipients of free prescription drug samples: a national representative analysis. Am J Public Health 2008;98:284–289.
4. Reed M. An update on Americans' access to prescription drugs. Issue Brief Cent Stud Health Syst Change 2005:1–4.
