Many physicians regularly receive prescription samples from the
pharmaceutical industry. These are often helpful to
patients as a means of trying a medication to determine if the
medication can be effective and useful. Additionally
many physicians will use samples to help patients with limited
financial resources obtain necessary medication at no cost to the
patient.
RESPONSIBILITY OF PHYSICIANS
By
accepting responsibility for sample drugs, the physician must
recognize responsibility for the following:
that samples are dispensed to patients with clear instructions
for their use as well as any drug use precautions;
that samples dispensed have unexpired dates of use;
that accurate patient records on the use of samples are
kept;
that drugs are disposed of in a safe and environmentally
acceptable manner.
PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT
Members are
advised that the College considers it an act of professional
misconduct when:
a physician offers to sell or barter a drug sample for any
purpose whatsoever;
a physician disposes of sample drugs other than by
environmentally acceptable methods.
First Print L&E/09-94
Revision L&E/03-99
A statement is a formal position of the College with
which members shall comply.