This is one heated debate for sure, many physicians do use the sample closet to help those who otherwise may not be able to afford the medications, and yes it might be a good idea when given a sample to ask and see if there is a generic drug option once the samples are finished. The sample closet too has changed quite a bit from what it used to contain in the past, as I see less antibiotics than I used to, and more supplies of the blockbuster drugs in pretty large supply. It also depends on what treatment plan is too, short term, or long term, chronic illnesses are the ones primarily in question as this is a medication that you are basically going to "live" with. 
This brings up a question, as I know the generics are less expensive due to not having all the overhead per se of the big Pharma companies, but is this maybe a market that might be available? In other words, why do we not necessarily see much in the way of generic drugs in the closet? Some major pharmaceutical companies have created their own "generic" brands too that are right out there competing with the name brand product side by side, so perhaps this could be somewhat of an option, and just poses the question of how the sample closet might evolve in another year or so. Again, many thanks to the Pharma companies that do provide samples as they really do help many and something not to be overlooked, but as things are changing almost daily, what will be the contents of the "sample" closet in the future? BD
Free drug samples provided to physicians by pharmaceutical companies could actually be costing uninsured patients more in the long run, according to a study done by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues. Newswise - Free drug samples provided to physicians by pharmaceutical companies could actually be costing uninsured patients more in the long run, according to a study done by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues.
Researchers found that, for uninsured patients, the percentage of medications prescribed as generics rose from 12 percent to 30 percent after the clinic closed its drug sample closet. For Medicaid patients, however, there was no significant change in generic prescribing.
Drug samples are available only for brand name drugs, which are often newer, more heavily advertised and almost always much more expensive than generic drugs in the same class.
Free Drug Samples May End Up Costing Uninsured More - FierceBiotech
I can't imagine generic drugs being in the sample closet because there is no return on investment on the part of the drug companies. If you have a brand drug there is only one option when you write for the medication. However, if there is a generic and you write for the generic then the prescription may be filled with any of the manufacturers generic. So even though Teva gave you the samples, the patient may chronically receive UDLs product.
ReplyDeleteThe only way would be if the generic companies created some kind of alliance for sampling of generics and then split profits but that is near impossible.