Drug Samples from your Dr.? You better think twice!!
As I was waiting for my wife at the Dr.’s office, I saw not one, not two, but three different drug company reps come and go through the waiting room. Each of them had what looked like a small suitcase of paraphernalia for the doctor.
Included in there I’m sure were not only little gifts like pens and coffee mugs and calendars, etc.
BUT—-also DRUG SAMPLES!! Yes, samples of medications that have been left for hours and hours in the salesman’s trunk.
Now the concept of giving samples to the doctor for him to give to patients is good in theory. It gives the patient a way to start on the medication right away, and, if the drug doesn’t work, it would save the patient the time and expense of getting the prescription filled at a pharmacy.
Let’s assume the salesman get the samples shipped to him via UPS or some such delivery company. He gets them on Monday morning. As the drug rep makes his rounds the drugs sit in the trunk exposed to temperatures that I can only imagine.
When we left the office, I saw a drug rep getting samples out of the trunk—something I have witnessed many times before.
Here in South Florida, the inside temperature of a car can easily reach over 110 degrees in a very short time.
OK, so Monday in the trunk, same for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Heat is the worst thing you can expose a drug to—it degrades it very fast….yet these are the samples given to the patient.
Now, if that weren’t enough of a reason not to take samples, here’s a few more–
- Who checks to see if that particular drug lot has been recalled?
- Who checks to see if the sample is still in date?
- Who tells the patient how to take the drug and what it’s side effects are? Because this information is not written down or the patient forgets what the doctor told them…customers will come into the phamacy with a drug sample and ask for a print-out for this information.
- Who checks the patient’s records to be sure there are no drug interactions?
- Who coordinates the drug with medications the patient is already taking from another doctor?
- Who checks to see if there are problems taking the drug with herbal supplements?
- Where is a record kept and how is it accessed after hours or on weekends when the office is closed?
Here is my solution:Have the drug company issure coupon/vouchers for the drug. That way a pharmacist, who is the only qualified professional to address all the above issues, has the time and expertise to be sure the patient gets the right dose, at the right frequency…kinda a last safety check. The pharmacist can be sure there are no inteactions and counsel the patient on side effects. The pharmacist can check on possible drug allergies and potential problems with herbal supplements.
The prescription is on file and is a permanent record at the pharmacy. In case of an emergency, the files can be found on weekends and after doctor hours.
So—Please Please Please—ask you doctor for a coupon/voucher!
It’s just not worth it to take samples.
Remember, only a Pharmacist has the knowledge and expertise to be watching out for you and your medications.
Thanks for allowing me to help you BRIDGE THE GAP between Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
 |
Dr. Rich Rotfort The Medicine Mentor Pharmacist-Chiropractor-Wellness Coordinator Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Alternative Medicine www.MedicineMentor.com |
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Hi, colleague! I like your blog, it’s so interesting! I think it’s pretty popular, isn’t it? I would like to invite you to my favorite Pay-Per-Click system, I believe you can earn with your blog a lot here. My crazy russian friend earns $3.000 per day here! Look, it doesn’t obligate you to anything http://klikvip.com/landings/en/landing2/index.php?aff=35357
Drug Samples from your Dr You better think twice Medicine Mentor best post. I has been collection in my blog. 2010/08/08
Drug Samples from your Dr You better think twice Medicine Mentor best post. I has been collection in my blog. 2010/02/02
Drug Samples from your Dr You better think twice Medicine Mentor best post. I has been collection in my blog. 2010/01/01
Great article Thank
you so much!
One again, your articles is very good.thank you!very much.
One again, your idea is very
good.thank you!very much.
good share, great article, very usefull for us…thank you
I found your blog on google.I would like to offer my site: Acai Berry
great experience, dude! thanks for this great post wow… it’s very wonderful report.
very well information you write it very clean. I’m very lucky to get this info from you.
i have enjoyed reading thank for sharing your story Greeting.
Thanks for good news!
Thank you for Posting & I got to read nice information on your site.
i am happy to find it thanks for sharing it here. Nice work.
Hello,http://www.jumancuso.info - May i sex dating with you?
hey man I like it. I’m going to write more posts and put your ideas to the test. After all, we always have something new to learn and being humble, I came here to learn. Bookmarked.
- Josh
Wow… your site is so useful. I just wanted to know how do you monetize it? Can you give me a few advices? For example, I use http://www.bigextracash.com/aft/2e7bfeb6.html
I’m earning about $1500 per month at he moment. What will you recommend?